By DePaul Healthy Trailblazer Journal reporters | Walk up some stairs. Go outside and play. Find a sport you enjoy. Dance.

Students and staff at The DePaul Catholic School dive into some of the ways they get exercise and the benefits that come from adding more activities into their daily lives.

School Counselor Ms. Dickson told the Healthy Trailblazer Journal recently: Make sure you’re active.

Eighth-grade DePaul reporters looked into how much activity kids need. They found that exercise can make your heart stronger and keep your body in shape, according to the American Heart Association. The group recommends that kids get 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity every day.

What does that mean? If you are sweating but can talk while you’re exercising, you’re probably doing a moderate activity. If you’re breathing hard, sweating, and can’t talk, you’re exercising vigorously. 

A lot of activities can count toward the 60 minutes such as when you play at recess and walk to school.

For exercise, Ms. Dickson said she likes to walk daily and she “loves” to swim in the summer. Being active makes her feel better, “knowing I did something for myself.”

The Healthy Trailblazer Journal asked other DePaul staff members what they do for exercise.

Ms. Welsh, assistant principal

She said she plays soccer and tries to walk every day. Her goal is getting in 10,000 steps, or equivalent to about five miles. If she doesn’t reach 10,000 steps, she goes outside with her young daughter to collect leaves.

She also plays soccer in the Wissahickon area every weekend, she said. If she is not exercising out-side, she practices yoga at home. “It keeps my mind in a calm state and keeps my blood flowing,” she said.

Ms. Welsh said exercise benefits her mentally and physically. “It keeps me alert and keeps me happy and keeps me from being lethargic,” Ms. Welsh said. “It brings me a sense of calmness and healthiness.

Mr. Marcus, cafeteria manager

He said he tries to go to the gym three days a week. He lifts weights and runs on the treadmill.

“It makes my heart rate go up because of how much I work out and because of how seriously I take the workout,” he said. “It keeps my body going and energized as my body gets older.”

Some days he works out at home. In the morning, he stretches and practices yoga.

Mr. Brookins, fifth-grade teacher

Until recently, Mr. Brookins was Defaul’s gym teacher and exercised with the students. Out of school, he goes to the gym three days a week, he said.

He also likes to play basketball and bowl. He said exercising makes him feel refreshed. “Don’t let anybody tell you how you can exercise,” he said. “Not everybody does everything at the same pace.”

He said it’s especially important now for kids to include exercise in their lives. After the pandemic, many kids got into the habit of spending a lot of time on their electronics. The sports he recommends for middle school kids include track and field, swimming, and basketball.

Ms. Diaz, food service assistant

She said she spends about 11 hours a day walking at school, including bringing breakfast to the third floor. She said she likes walking because it makes her feel energetic.

Ms. Mears, middle school science teacher

She said she runs and walks outside at least 30 minutes several times a week.

She said kids should be active. They don’t need to play a sport. They can do anything for exercise, such as walking a dog.

Illustration by Korey, The DePaul Catholic School, 2024–25.