Support AB2705 and Physical Activity

Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 7th, Assembly Bill 2705 (AB 2705), co-sponsored by Assembly Member Isadore Hall and Governor Schwarzenegger, will be heard by the Assembly Education Committee. AB 2705 seeks to increase access to safe places to play throughout California and improve physical activity opportunities in schools.

It is essential that organizations working to increase opportunities for safe physical activity lend their support today to this important piece of legislation, and to Assembly Member Hall.

Please voice your support TODAY via email. If you prefer to fax or phone in your support, scroll down the page for contact info and talking points.

AB 2705 will:

increase flexibility of joint use policies
require that least half of Physical Education class time offers moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)
require that after-school programs provide at least 30 minutes of MVPA.

Please contact Assembly Member Isadore Hall’s office TODAY. Feel free to edit this text--legislators prefer to hear from you in your own words.

Subject: Support Joint Use AB 2705

Your Letter:

Dear Assembly Member Hall,

I am writing in support of AB 2705 which would increase access to safe places to play throughout California. My organization works to improve opportunities for physical activity and believes SB 2705 will make much needed improvements in California. As our State grapples with inactivity-related illness amidst difficult economic times, we have the responsibility to leverage existing public resources wisely to prevent chronic illness and promote health.

All Californians do not enjoy equal access to safe places to engage in physical activity and recreation.  AB 2705 allows for greater flexibility of joint use policies and practices by optimizing resources, sharing costs, and identifying creative solutions.  Joint use of public facilities — the sharing of space between schools and communities--is an effective way to increase availability of safe, conveniently located places to exercise and play. It is also a way for local entities to pool resources for operations and maintenance.  Many California communities are engaging in some form of joint use, and their successes must be brought to scale and shared throughout the State.

Most California public school students are enrolled in Physical Education; therefore, improving the quality and quantity of active Physical Education brings the potential to significantly improve student health and well being. Studies demonstrate that physical activity significantly reduces the risk of chronic disease and obesity, and that moderate to vigorous physical activity reduces stress, improves self-esteem, and supports concentration and cognitive function. Recent studies even show that physical activity can help improve student academic achievement: one study, which compared physical activity to student grades in core classes such as English and Math, found that student scores were highest among those who engaged in vigorous physical activity for at least 20 minutes a day three times a week.

Currently, state funded after-school programs are not required to incorporate physical activity in their curriculum. The California Department of Education has developed After School Physical Activity Guidelines for implementing physical activity in after-school programs, but compliance is voluntary. AB2705 would require 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity to support student well-being.

Thank you for sponsoring this landmark legislation.  I supports your effort and am hopeful that AB2705 will be enacted so all California youth will have meaningful opportunities to engage in high quality physical activity and Physical Education.
 
Sincerely,

Assemblyman Isadore Hall

California 52nd State Assembly District

An email of this text will be sent automatically to Assembly Member Hall's office. If you would prefer to fax or call, you can contact him here:

Capitol Office:
Assemblyman Isadore Hall
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0052
Tel: (916) 319-2052
Fax: (916) 319-2152

Here are some points you might want to cover in your call:

State your Name and Organization and provide the name of your city or zip code.
I’d like to thank Assembly Member Hall for co-sponsoring AB 2075 with Governor Schwarzenegger.
As our State grapples with inactivity-related illness amidst difficult economic times, we have the responsibility to leverage existing public resources wisely to prevent chronic illness and promote health.
All Californians do not enjoy equal access to safe places to engage in physical activity and recreation. AB 2705 seeks to rectify this disparity by allowing for greater flexibility of joint use policies and practices by optimizing resources, sharing costs, and identifying creative solutions.
Most California public school students are enrolled in Physical Education; therefore, improving the quality and quantity of active Physical Education brings the potential to significantly improve student health and well being. Requiring Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity in PE classes and after-school programs is a significant step in providing our state’s children and youth with opportunities for effective physical activity.

Prevention Institute

Support AB2705 and Physical Activity

Assemblyman Isadore Hall