Madison ... Sherman Middle School is celebrating a month of health and wellness with a three-mile fun run/one-mile walk in the school’s neighborhood this Friday, March 31, at 1:00 p.m. Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz will start the fun by popping the “starting” balloon (rather than a starting pistol). Participants will enjoy refreshing fruit including locally grown Ida Red apples from Wisconsin Homegrown Lunch and UW Extension Nutrition Education Program as well as Fox water. 350 of the school’s 530 students are expected to participate. The school is located at 1610 Ruskin Street in Madison.

The event marks the end of Health and Wellness Month. Students have been incorporating health and wellness into activities across the curriculum throughout the school year and celebrating March as National Nutrition month. The whole school discussed a screening of the school-age version of the documentary “SuperSize Me,” and students are keeping logs of their physical activity and food choices.

“Innovative programming like the Sherman Health and Wellness Month is what Fit City Madison is all about,” said Mayor Cieslewicz. “We are proud to support initiatives that encourage kids to get out there and get moving.”

The event also kicks off Sherman Middle School's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. With USDA funding, the school will provide all students with a healthy fruit or vegetable snack twice weekly. The school’s partner, Wisconsin Homegrown Lunch, Madison’s Farm to School Project, is facilitating the purchase of locally grown produce. Teachers can use additional funds for produce samples in learning activities in any subject. Officials hope the program, which runs through next school year, will serve as a model for future programming.

Wisconsin Homegrown Lunch is a community program working to increase the amount of local fruits and vegetables available to Madison school students.

Visit http://www.FitCityMadison.com for other fitness and health information.