Cupid Shuffle kicks off state physical activity program

Students at Widmyer Elementary, Berkeley Springs High School and Paw Paw High School joined others across the state in simultaneously dancing to the song “Cupid Shuffle” on Thursday afternnon, January 19.

Ten or so seniors, along with staff at the Berkeley Springs Senior Life Center, also did the line dance at 1 p.m. that day, said executive director Joel Tuttle.

The event marked West Virginia Physical Activity Day, which was created to stress the importance of physical activity.

Almost 100,000 West Virginia students at 700 public schools boogied with staff to the Cupid Shuffle at the same time that Thursday.

The dance, which consists of four steps to the left, four steps to the right, four kicks then turning to another direction was easy enough for even young tykes at Widmyer Elementary to master.

Most kids practiced the moves with their teachers beforehand. All classes participated, said Principal Rick Weber.

All kindergarten through 12th grade students at Paw Paw Schools took part, said physical education teacher Bryan Beverage. Some parents came to dance with them. They had such a great time that they did the dance twice, he said.

Berkeley Springs High School students that participated were mostly freshman physical education classes along with a few special education classes, said Assistant Principal Kristin Tuttle.

School Superintendent David Banks and other school staff also danced, she said.

All Pleasant View Elementary students did the line dance in physical education classes that day, said Principal Nicole Fox.

Greenwood Elementary Principal Barbara Miller said they decided to celebrate West Virginia Physical Activity Day last week with a behavior rewards activity day since all of their team teachers would be there. They planned to do some dances and active games like Twister and may check out the Cupid Shuffle.

Let’s Move! campaign
The Cupid Shuffle moment and West Virginia Physical Activity Day was part of the West Virginia Department of Education’s “Let’s Move!” Active Schools project and the national “Let’s Move!” campaign.

State School Superintendent Jorea Marple said schools and physical education are critical to addressing childhood obesity and other health issues.

“If we can get kids more involved and more interested in exercise, good nutrition and overall wellness, their quality of life will greatly improve,” Marple said.

State activity plan
The Cupid Shuffle event was also the launch of a statewide campaign: “Be Wild. Be Wonderful. Be Active.”

The initiative is part of the West Virginia Physical Activity Plan to promote physical activity to improve the health and quality of life for all.

The state physical activity plan hopes to increase the physical activity levels of adults and children to meet or exceed the national recommendations.

Goals of the plan include providing more opportunities for physical activity for students and staff, work site wellness programs and education, building community partnerships regarding wellness and encouraging walking, hiking and biking and the creation of trails, sidewalks and safe parks and playgrounds.