The Tech Ed rooms in the basement of the Watertown Middle School have gone through a major transformation.

What used to be an old classroom with Lego robots lining the walls has been completely overhauled. Where the ancient tables once stood, there are now several different high-tech exercise machines. The gym teachers hope this new Fitness Center will help increase the students’ physical activity.

When asked if the Fitness Center will help lower the chance of obesity in WMS students, Thomas Johnson, one of the physical education teachers, said, “[We] hope to work towards it.”

Donna Ruseckas, Watertown’s coordinator of Physical Education and Health K-12, applied for a grant from the US government and was one of the few school districts to win. According to Johnson, more than $400,000 has been spent by the schools.

At Watertown Middle School, money has been spent on rowing machines, medicine balls, stair climbers, elliptical machines, bikes, and yoga mats. There is a lot of other equipment, such as ping-pong tables, slide boards, indoor tennis, and much, much more.

The Fitness Center will be available for students to use during gym classes and after school.

–Feb. 10, 2010–