Shenandoah Elementary School teachers are all about keeping the mind and body fit, so the school’s annual Academic Olympics on February 11 was the perfect fit for their curriculum. Carnival-like games allowed students to go from classroom to classroom or to stations outside, learn about various subjects and earn points. It also featured a station about the Jump Rope for Heart program.

Events included measuring how high students could jump above "waves" in studying the Louisiana coastline, cutting out magnolia flower art for third graders’ studies on state symbols and creating the wonders of the world (such as the Eiffel Tower) with pieces of string to coincide with related coursework. In addition, first graders like Haley Stephens (pictured, left) and Andy Allen (right) stood in "tree" or other yoga positions to redirect energy in a positive way with fun, child-friendly techniques and help calm their minds and bodies.