Forget three-legged races and egg tosses, Fitness Day is the new field day.

Kevin Woodward, Rochester Memorial School’s physical education director, believes there is something fundamentally wrong with only challenging kids’ minds during school.

“As standardized testing becomes more and more, other things become less and less,” he said. “It’s interesting because there’s a good body of research that supports the benefits cognitively that comes from physical activity.”

Woodward, a classroom teacher for 11 years before transition to P.E. director, started the day-long fitness challenge last year as a way to revamp students’ approach to health, and encourage more physical activity in school.

“The event is really rooted in Michelle Obama’s big kick ‘Let’s Move’ in schools. There’s a ton of support for this new approach,” said Woodward.

So with this year’s Fitness Day on Wednesday, May 30, Woodward and faculty got kids moving with a two-mile loop around the school.

“The idea is a walk, jog or run-a-thon,” he said.

For each circuit, kids received raffle tickets that they could use on prizes donated by staff members.

“That’s the incentive — for our kids to move their bodies and also to make good, healthy choices throughout the day,” said Woodward.

“Healthy, good quality behaviors will get you another raffle ticket,” he explained, such as waiting for a friend to tie their shoe or drinking water.

After his first lap, fifth grader Dominic Matteia said he had prepared well for the event and already had several raffle tickets.

"I always stay hydrated. I always exercise so I can run faster," he said.

To win one of the coveted bicycles, Dominic said, "I'm saving all my tickets and putting them in at the last part so I have a better chance."

Beyond the two-mile runs, kids visited drop-in sites such as a hula hoop station and a dance tent with teacher Danni Kleiman disc jockeying.

In keeping with the fitness theme, the students also used the day to fundraise for a new playground, asking for pledges before the event.

“Students in grades two to six don’t really have a playground. It’s kind of this blacktop, prison-esque setup,” said Woodward.

Last year the school raised $12,000 through Fitness Day, but Woodward said, “We still have a long way to go. The price tag is $80,000.”

Regardless of how much money the students can raise, Woodward said, “Any little bit counts, and we just hope everybody enjoys themselves and stays safe and healthy through the day.”