May 18, 2013
CHICAGO, IL - First Lady Michelle Obama was in her hometown of Chicago, Illinois Thursday (2/28).
She was there to announce a new program to help kids learn and be active at the same time.
Mrs. Obama introduced ``Let's Move Active Schools'' which started with a website, www.letsmoveschools.org. It's a site where school officials and others can sign up to get started.
The goal is to have students learning their ABCs while dancing, or memorizing multiplication tables while doing jumping jacks.
The first lady made the announcement at McCormick Place where several athletes including Olympic gymnasts Dominique Dawes and Gabby Douglas and tennis player Serena Williams attended.
Mrs. Obama said too many penny-pinched schools have either cut spending on physical education or eliminated it to put the money toward classroom instruction. The first lady says studies show exercise helps youngsters focus and do well in school.
The effort is one of the newest parts of Mrs. Obama's three-year-old campaign against childhood obesity, known as ``Let's Move,'' which she has spent the week promoting.
