Midvale Kids Mix Summer Fitness and Learning

Students at Midvale Elementary School in Tucker are taking advantage of a new program from the National School Learning Association to stay sharp both mentally and physically during the summer break.

It's called The Summer Fit: Exercises for the Brain and Body While Away From School. "Besides doing the academics of reading, writing and math, the idea for the fitness came from Lance Armstrong, a friend of the publisher," said Leland Graham, author and consultant for School Box Stores, which sells the workbooks. "(It's) divided up into 10 weeks and the first five weeks review the skills that the child has been learning this year in school," Graham added. "The next five weeks gets them ready for when school returns."

Cycling legend Armstrong believes in the connection between brain power and physical fitness and is an advocate of healthy living.

fourth grader Michael Walker agrees, and spoke to 11 Alive about the idea. "Because if you exercise, you are just helping your body, so, maybe, yes. It's like in science maybe."

"I just usually study in the summer and read for about an hour," said Julia Brennan, another Midvale student. Julia's mother, Karoline Brennan, insists her kids spend time on academics on top of leisure activities such as swimming.

"(Kids) need to be reading more than 25 minutes a day in order to go to the next grade level," said Susan Wilson, Principal at Midvale.