Mary Wrenn

Saint Anthony's has never had a physical fitness area or playground equipment for students, yielding a lack of physical activity during the school day. To address the problem, Wrenn and fellow educators Cathy Gonzalez, Lynn Neri, and Elisa Wares have designed "The Moving Classroom" to meet physical, social and academic goals for students. They plan to incorporate more physical activity into the students' daily schedule using a structured playground that is designed to impact all areas of physical fitness. Students at all levels will cooperate in the creation of the play area. Grades 6-8 will apply math skills to chart the area, while grades 3-5 will administer surveys for equipment preferences among the student body. Younger students will help participate in surveys and fundraising activities and the staff will teach skills to all students that will motivate them to execute project goals. The grant will assist in the purchase of activity equipment. The overall goal of the initiative is to help erase obesity and self-esteem issues that arise from a lack of physical education and activity. Wrenn lives in Hawthorne.