According to recent statistics, more than one in five 5-11 year olds in North Carolina is overweight, putting them at risk for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and social and psychological problems.  The chances that an overweight child will become an overweight adult are nearly 70%.  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that children be physically active for at least 60 minutes per day.  Since, most children spend most of their day in school, teachers have the opportunity to provide a important portion of their needed daily physical activity during the school day.

Graham A. Barden Elementary earned the status of A+Fit school in 2009 by participating in a grant funded by the North Carolina Health and Wellness Trust Fund.  This fund recognizes and rewards schools for their achievement in contributing to the health and well-being of students.  The A+Fit School Grants Program provides schools with one-year grants that can be used to support a variety of programs and or projects that help schools meet their goals of becoming an A+ Fit School.  

Graham A. Barden set a goal to become the first elementary school in Craven County to have a paved track that could be used by students, teachers, and the community for walking, jogging or running.  We were awarded the grant in May of 2008 and construction of the track began! Our students, teachers, and the local community have enjoyed the use of the track this school year and look forward to many years of future use.