Groovin' For Fitness Across the Age Continuum

I have been studiously avoiding work-related musings in an attempt to placate those who felt that such musings were out of place on the internet. Today, however, I just have to relate an experience which served to underscore why I decided to return to teaching for at least one more year.
It was Wellness Day or Fitness Day or something of that ilk today...an event sponsored by the state education folks. We have a committee formed to debate and resolve wellness issues (as dictated by the Feds). The committee decided that it would be great fun and wonderfully educational from a wellness perspective if we could get EVERY student and staff member of our school district together for 30 minutes of exercise...that being the number professional fitness folks say we should ALL get at least five days a week. While the committee seemed comfortable with the idea, implementation was beyond them. Naturally, that's where I come in. As Teacher of the Year (for five more months!) it was assumed that I could come up with something approriate for ages 4-67 or however old the oldest person was. No easy task, to be sure.
I decided to modify some aerobic dance things we do for warmup sometimes. There's hand clapping, arm waving, a few simple foot movements and LOUD singing: something like a pentecostal tent meeting. My PE students love it, but applying it to an all-age group was a daunting task.
There was much resistance from various factors: students who thought it was dumb and subsequently skipped school (not mentioning any names, Joe), staff members and board members, some of whom thought it was a waste of educational time, serious questions about whther or not the kindergartners would make it back to school in time for lunch and others ( myself initially included!) who didn't believe we could assemble 500 people in one place at one time for one activity. Then, the weather forecast wasn't the best. It was a recipe for disaster, but my philosophy is that if a task isn't a challenge, it's not as much fun. The elementary teachers had worked on the activity a bit with their kids, and every comment I heard from them was enthusiastic...today was the day.
The day dawned with some dark clouds on the horizon which gave way to beautiful Simpson-like skies and sunshine. All the groups arrived more or less on time, the PA system worked (thanks to Terry Q.)and Kathy had organized the whole thing wonderfully. That left my part. Since the Jumbotron at Perry Field was inoperative, I was perched atop the press box with my Madonna wireless microphone ready to lead the troops in a rock and roll fitness revival. Actually, standing there, I felt somewhat like the Pope though not as conservative.
The singing, dancing and arm waving was amazing to see. Teachers were shaking their groove thing, students even volunteered to lead the large group, and my students mixed with little kids to help out. I must admit, that 30-minute period was among the most moving I have ever had in education. I was so into the activity that I didn't realize I had whacked my hand on a railing and was bleeding all over the place. Adrenaline is a wonderful thing.
So, just when I begin to have doubts about our school situation, an activity like this provides enough joy to carry me all the way through to summer. And the name of the place is " I Like It Like That!"