Optimists provide ‘focus pedalers’ for students
SUBMITTED BY THE OPTIMIST CLUB OF MARYVILLE
Pictured with the “focus pedalers” at the middle school library are, front row from left to right, fifth graders Levi Diggs, Brice Hall and Zoie Strayer; back row: Heidi Webster, counselor; Optimist Club of Maryville members Dale Stewart and Terri Stewart; Kate Lydon, Maryville Middle School principal; and Marty Nolte, MMS librarian.
MARYVILLE, Mo. — With the growing awareness of mental health needs for students, the Optimist Club of Maryville has teamed up with Maryville Middle School to provide “focus pedalers” for the school library and counselors’ offices. The idea was developed by Optimist Dale Stewart and MMS librarian Marty Nolte.
Experts believe that many students focus better on visual and verbal tasks when being somewhat active physically. So, during the 2022-2023 school year, two exercise pedalers were purchased for student use while studying or reading in the library since every student would be in the library sometime during the school week. The equipment was under library tables and available throughout the day. However, the initial demand for the first pedalers proved to be even greater than expected, so by the end of first semester, the units were almost worn out.
For the 2023-2024 school year, three new focus pedalers were purchased with two to be used in the library and one kept in the counselors’ offices. When a student comes to see one of the counselors about a concern or event, communication can be facilitated by talking while pedaling. The new pedalers are sturdier units which cost almost three times as much as the first units, according to a news release from the Optimist Club.
According to Nolte, the focus pedalers are already being well used. The smooth and quiet pedal motion is not disturbing to others and provides the opportunity for students to burn off a little energy. Future project plans are to determine if usable units could be produced by the area technical school, the news release stated.
