FORT THOMAS -- St. Thomas School is already taking steps recommended by the Vision 2015 committee.

On Wednesday, Oct. 26 a class of fifth graders let their physical education teacher, Jane Zapp, step aside, and took over teaching.

Their students were residents at Carmel Manor, a Catholic nursing home in Fort Thomas, who came to sit in front of the cafeteria before lunch.

"You ready to work up an appetite," Zapp asked residents who looked confused by the visitors.

The students passed out materials needed for a good workout. They went on to teach stretches and strength-building exercises anyone can do.

The activity not only helped residents, it helped students learn, said Mary Kay Connolly, a service learning coordinator for Children Inc. Children Inc. provides training for Northern Kentucky teachers interested in service learning as well as support for projects teachers and students come up with.

"They worked on this for about a month," she said.

Connolly said the program is a type of service learning that Vision 2015, an initiative that is planning for the future of Northern Kentucky, is pushing for more schools to use. It lets students research real-life issues and then participate in studies or find real solutions.

"It teaches kids the core content and allows them to apply what they learned in the community," Connolly said.

To prepare students researched the benefits of exercise and what movements people can do to maintain good health. They then worked on modifying those exercises so people in wheelchairs or people with limited mobility can exercise.

"I learned it doesn't matter if people are standing up or sitting down, everyone can exercise," said Andrea Koblitz, a St. Thomas student.

After students lead the exercise lesson they had a chance to reflect on what happened. Their suggestions for the next class that comes to teach include not being afraid of residents, being able to quickly adapt exercises, showing residents instead of explaining, and speaking in a loud voice.

Children Inc. also gives out grants to schools using service learning.

"Not all schools have parents who can drive vans, they may need to get a bus," Connolly said. "That may be the only cost and we try to help with that."

For more information call 581-1814.