News
DDR Classroom Edition to Help Fight Childhood Obesity
The CAHPERD State Conference will also host the official,
public, world premier/introduction of Konami Digital
Entertainment's new "DanceDanceRevolution Classroom Edition,"
multi-player, physical activity game, on Friday, February 24,
2012, at 7:00 a.m. Like the traditional DDR experience of
players moving to their favorite songs, the new DDR Classroom
Edition can connect up to 48 mat controllers to one PC game for
full class or after-school recreation participation. Research
indicates that interactive, movement-based video games such as
and especially DDR, greatly increases' students'
Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity minutes, thus positively
impacting students' overall health and fitness, and decreasing
the prevalence of childhood obesity. CAHPERD Conference
attendees, regional students, celebrities and media
representatives will be demonstrating the new DDR Classroom game
for the first time in the Pasadena Convention Center.
To date, the 2012 CAHPERD State Conference Keynote speakers
include: the President and Chief Executive Officer of The
California Endowment, Dr. Robert Ross; Fitness Icon and "FIT
Kids" Act Advocate Richard Simmons; internationally-acclaimed
Researchers Dr. James Morrow of the Department of Health
Promotion and Recreational Studies at the University of North
Texas, and Dr. James Sallis of the Department of Psychology at
San Diego State University, California; and California State
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson.
On Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., CAHPERD invites the public to
attend the presentation by Elaine LaLanne (Jack LaLanne's Wife
of 51 years) as she presents the "CAHPERD Jack LaLanne Lifetime
Achievement Award" to LaLanne Friend and FIT Kids Act proponent
Richard Simmons. Following the presentation, Simmons will lead
the group and members of the community in a fun and inspiring
Simmons' workout!
The Conference will also celebrate and highlight the California
Department of Education (CDE) and Superintendent Torlakson's
recent launch of the new, "Team California for Healthy Kids,"
(TCHK) Initiative, providing in-depth programming, plenary
sessions, and speakers such as Dr. Antronette "Toni" Yancey,
Professor in the Department of Health Services, UCLA School of
Public Health, and Co-Director of the UCLA Kaiser Permanente
Center for Health Equity; Dr. Bonnie Helpren, Professor in the
Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics,
University of California, San Francisco, Co-Director of Research
for the Adolescent Medicine Fellowship; and Dr. Brian Cole,
Project Manager of the UCLA School of Public Health's Health
Impact Assessment Project, among others.
Also on Thursday, February 23, 2012, at the Pasadena Convention
Center, CAHPERD will be hosting Physical-Activity Based
Standards Workshops, instructing any/all educators or other
professionals how to incorporate physical activity into all
instruction - regardless of curriculum taught. Additionally,
CAHPERD will be hosting other special certification
opportunities including CPR and First Aid training, coaching and
fitness certifications, and The First Tee National Schools
Program certification. All educators may earn Continuing
Education Units (CEUs) for attending the CAHPERD Conference.
From February 24-26, 2012, CAHPERD will present a variety of
interactive and fun Conference sessions featuring research and
best practices within the areas of Health, Physical Education,
Recreation and Dance, presented by over 100 expert speakers. And
when attendees are not enjoying sessions, CAHPERD will be
hosting a terrific Dance Gala on Friday night in the beautiful
Pasadena Civic Center Theater; a CAHPERD Awards Luncheon
announcing California's "Teachers and Programs of the Year," and
Jump Rope Team demonstrations on Saturday afternoon; and many
Socials and meetings throughout the Conference.
