WESTFIELD – The Stand Up Kids organization out of California, which works to get standings desks in classroom throughout schools all over the country, has found one of their latest pilot classrooms.
Munger Hill Elementary third grade teacher Katherine Bitzas had standing desks delivered for each student in her class. The children arrived on Friday morning at their normal time for school and were able to spend some time checking out the change.
All of the students explored the standing desks as each desk can adjust to every child’s height by using the swinging level bar.
“You have a lot of energy, you sort of swing the bar,” said student Joey Thibault. “They’re really cool,” said fellow classmate Izabela Rutkowski.
Third grade students look at their new standing desks and their Reebok sneakers, along with their parents. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
The parents of the students receiving the standing desks were also allowed to come into the classroom and see the desks for themselves.
“It’s amazing, I think more classrooms should have them,” said Tania Thibault, mother of Joey Thibault. The parents also feel that the standing desks have a positive benefit moving forward for their children.
“There’s a true meaning to standing up on your toes,” said parent Melissa Rutkowski. “Standing up really helps you learn.”
Thibault added to the benefits of the standing desks.
“If the kids are more comfortable, their more engaged to learn,” said Thibault.
For Bitzas, she couldn’t have been happier to get the feedback she received from the parents. Prior to the standing desks becoming official for her class, Bitzas sent letters to all of the parents asking for their support and she didn’t receive any negative outcomes.
“Everybody was very supportive,” said Bitzas.
Although the standing desks are a great addition for Bitzas and the rest of her classroom, it is optional for the students to use the standing desks. If they don’t want to stand, there are stools that they can sit on to use instead.
With this particular third grade classroom being a pilot room for the rest of the school, Superintendent of Westfield Public Schools, Stefan Czaporowski, acknowledged the fact that opportunities could be available for other classes in the future.
Third grade teacher Katherine Bitzas holds the Reebok shoes while Principal Sal Frieri holds the box open. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
“In the future, if our other schools want to look at these desks, we will work with our local vendor, Columbia Manufacturing,” said Czaporowski.
Sal Frieri, the Principal of Munger Hill, is more than confident that the third grade class will see successful results from the standing desks.
“I’m expecting our results to mirror in the rooms that have already used these,” said Frieri.
In addition to the standing desks, every child in the classroom also received brand new Reebok shoes in their size. Bitzas was able to work with Reebok as they too support the Stand Up Kids initiative.
Frieri wanted to compliment the hard work and dedication Bitzas has put in towards this initiative.
“People like her go out and look for extra stuff,” said Frieri. “She’s inspiring.”
For more information on standing desks and the Stand Up Kids initiative, you can go to Stand Up Kids .org.
