Child obesity is a growing epidemic and recess is disappearing in schools.  National Recess Week, celebrated March 2 – 6, 2009, is part of an ongoing campaign to inspire kids to get healthy and active, mentally and physically. Recess is an important part of the school day because it inspires children to get active, stay healthy and build social relationships. With Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat as the spokesperson, National Recess Week is aiming big this year with a Guinness World Records® attempt for the Largest Simultaneous Four Square Game ever, with thousands of kids across the country playing Four Square on the same day (March 3, 2009), at the same time.  As part of the celebration, 10 schools across the nation will win a $10,000 grant.

Experts from the advisory board include Sanjay Gupta, Chief Medical Correspondent for the Health and Medical Unit at CNN, Sarah Lee, Physical Activity Health Scientist in the Division of Adolescent & School Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Charlene R. Burgeson, Executive Director of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE).

In its third year, National Recess Week is the kick-off of the GET ANIMATED program, which runs all year long.  Other components include after-school participation at Boys & Girls Clubs across the country (starting in late-March) and the GET ANIMATED Tour, which starts on Memorial Day.  For more information about National Recess Week and to find out how you can get your school involved, visit www.getanimated.com.

Launch event at Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary in Burbank

• Stevenson Elementary students will participate in Four Square games (simultaneously with students across the country) to help set the Guinness World Record™ for Largest Simultaneous Four Square Game.
• The official Four Square game will begin at 9am on March 3, 2009.
• Local Los Angeles and Burbank media have been invited.
• Executives from Cartoon Network will be in attendance, cheering on the kids as they bounce their way to a world record.
• We have submitted a proclamation request to the Burbank City Council and it is being processed. If in attendance, we would love for Mayor Golonski to present the proclamation.