Lake Bluff Elementary students dance to ‘Y.M.C.A.’ as part of fitness campaign; ‘It’s come a long way since push-ups and running’

Approximately 600 Lake Bluff Elementary School students recently went outside and danced to the Village People’s 1978 disco anthem “Y.M.C.A.” as part of a national effort to get children to exercise.

On the morning of May 1, the iconic tune blared as kindergarten through fifth-grade students, along with staff and faculty, performed the well-known accompanying dance moves. The children screamed out “Y.M.C.A.” at the appropriate moments, most wearing red T-shirts, as part of the wellness effort that also served to bolster school spirit.

The dance was part of Project ACES (All Children Exercising Simultaneously), an annual national initiative held each May as part of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.

Wellness teacher Ryan Regan spoke about the goal of getting the children to move.

“The main thing is physical activity can be fun, but it is a lifetime skill,” he said. “We want them to be lifelong learners of physical activity, and this is one way to do it.”

Retired physical education teacher Jeremy Celarec, who returned to help the effort, said the school started participating in Project ACES in 2014. She said another song was played for the first couple of years, but in 2016 the change was made to “Y.M.C.A.” and it caught on with students.

“Everybody can do what they want, but this is what we decided to do,” Celarec said.

Celarec added the students really enjoyed a video she did of her doing the dance during the 2020-21 school year when students attended remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The school’s administration continues to have daily physical education, but modern classes have evolved to include some games as well as a focus on nutrition, team-building activities and social-emotional learning.

“It’s come a long way since push-ups and running,” Principal Kellie Bae said.

Bae added that in an era of constant screen time for children, officials want the students exercising and getting outside.

“It is more important now for us to create time and space,” Bae noted.

After the dancing was done and students went back to class, Regan spoke about why he enjoys leading the effort.

“I just like the smiles and fun giggles out here,” he said. “They are enjoying themselves with their friends, and just to reiterate the physical activity part that you can have fun while moving.”