West Hartford Schools Get Up and Dance (Video)

Students, teachers and staff at West Hartford schools celebrated A.C.E.S. (All Children Exercising Simultaneously) day by getting up and moving on Wednesday.

At Smith STEM school, 400 students, teachers and staff accepted First Lady Michelle Obama’s #GimmeFive challenge and celebrated her “Let’s Move in Schools Program” initiative.

The entire school danced simultaneously to “Uptown Funk”, choreographed by the award-winning dance crew from the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance.”

The dance, which is called “Gimme Five”, represents Obama’s 5 things people are doing to eat better, be more active, and lead a healthier life.

“Michelle Obama’s push to end childhood obesity is extraordinary,” said Kathy Miller, Smith STEM School P.E. Teacher. “This is a big problem that calls for an even bigger solution and I’m on that bandwagon. I get all my kids moving in their PE classes, but this year I focused on having the conversations about what healthy living is and talked with the kids about 5 ways to be healthy. The children came up with some really great ways to keep themselves fit and strong.”

This is Smith STEM School’s 12th year participating in the A.C.E.S day.

“If we are going to try and make a difference in preventing childhood obesity,” Miller said. “We need to do this together.”

At Braeburn Elementary School, everyone danced to “Geronimo” led by fifth-grade teacher Kathleen Freimuth.

This is the third year that Braeburn has participated in the event.

“There was a lot of positive energy,” Freimuth said. “It was good to see the whole school dancing all together at the same time. It was good for school spirit and camaraderie.”

Photos: Braeburn Elementary School celebrates A.C.E.S. day.

Watch the video of Smith STEM School accepting First Lady Michelle Obama’s #GimmeFive challenge below: