Students at Bloomingdale Elementary School are seen using an activity cart purchased by The Heart Network. (Provided photo)

SARANAC LAKE — Classrooms at Petrova and Bloomingdale elementary schools are using new activity carts to celebrate special occasions, thanks to support from a Franklin County program that promotes nutrition and physical activity.

The carts were purchased by The Heart Network’s Creating Healthy Schools & Communities program, which is funded by a grant from the state Department of Health. The carts are equipped with a variety of games and activities that can be used for birthdays and other parties, including dice sets, floor and dance mats, chalk kits, charades for kids and more.

“These carts are bringing joy and happiness to our students,” Bloomingdale Elementary School Principal Katie Laba said. “The materials on the carts are active items and replace the old traditions of bringing cupcakes or treats in, and have replaced it with active, fun and collaborative games and physical activities.”

“Activity carts are becoming more popular in classrooms, not just for celebrations, but also to help teachers to keep students engaged throughout the school day,” Heart Network Community Health Improvement Coordinator Arriana Patraw said. “These mobile carts are signed out by teachers, who use them to get kids out of their seats and moving. Short, in-classroom breaks are effective in stimulating learning, especially when the activities promote movement and teamwork.”

The Heart Network’s CHSC program works with schools across Franklin County to support initiatives that bolster physical activity, nutrition and wellness. In Saranac Lake, CHSC recently helped the Farm to School program complete upgrades to its greenhouses and school gardens. In Tupper Lake, CHSC funding helped set up the All Kids Bike program and equip L.P. Quinn Elementary School with Strider bikes.

For more information about the CHSC program, visit heartnetwork.org or contact Arriana Patraw at apatraw@heartnetwork.org.