Fidelis Care has awarded a $60,000 grant to diocesan Catholic schools that is designated for a special program called “Math & Movement.”
Fidelis, the health-insurance plan provider founded by the state’s Catholic bishops, had awarded the schools a $60,000 grant last year to start the program, which is for grades kindergarten through eighth. Math & Movement combines health and academics through a curriculum that incorporates exercise and stretching with math instruction on specially designed floor mats, according to information from Jona Wright, associate superintendent of Catholic schools.
Don Mills, principal of Immaculate Conception School in Ithaca, said he has seen a difference in student performance thanks to the program.
“Our experience with Math & Movement has seen students be more engaged in both math and reading because of the movement involved while learning,” he said, noting that kindergartners learned more number concepts and sights words compared to the previous school year.
