Coach Tiffany Bellize has big fitness goals at Alexander Valley School

Dozens of children gathered around coach Tiffany Bellize early one Friday morning for a “bunny hop.” The school-wide event is just one themed occasion during the course of a school year to get students moving as part of the 100-Mile Club.

The diminutive Alexander Valley School, which educates 120 children from kindergarten through sixth grade, instituted the club during the 2014-15 school year at Bellize’s behest. Teachers were overseeing physical education when Bellize came on as a parent volunteer. Students participate in physical education three times a week; state mandates call for students to exercise 90 minutes per week. Bellize wanted to see more.

Studies show there are emotional and neurological benefits to exercise, Bellize said, and more kids are getting involved in running. Bellize is an elite runner herself, and works out regularly with the Healdsburg Running Company.

Shannon Hausman, acting administrator for the day, said behavioral problems ease when students get enough exercise.

“When I was growing up, we were outside all day long,” Bellize, 39, said. Today’s students are more immersed inside and with electronic devices. She said that by moving their bodies, people in general also clear their heads, and that applies to students.

“We tell the kids, you don’t have to run, but you have to have fun and you have to move,” Bellize said. At least one student practices his soccer-ball dribbling while he does laps around the field. Others cartwheel, and still others dance their way around the track. Four-and-a-half laps of the track equals one mile, and each time a student passes the starting point, they add a band to their wrist to keep track of laps completed that day.

There is a $10 fee to join the club, which covers T-shirts and bands. Donations cover the students who cannot afford the fee. Every year, Alexander Valley Vineyards underwrites the costs for a number of students. Students get prizes at 25-, 50-, 75- and 100-mile increments. Last year, seven students reached 100 miles, and another 12 reached 75 miles. The top three students achieving milestones receive gift certificates to Levin and Co. bookstore in Healdsburg.

The fluorescent T-shirts have fill-in spaces for those increments, and Bellize practices her skills in drawing simple designs personalized to each student.

Many of the students are completing 10- to 12-minute miles when running. Each week brings a few falls and attendant scrapes, but for the most part, Bellize said, “they bounce well.”

Students also can add laps before school and during phys-ed class to reach their goals.

While this is a national program, Alexander Valley School is the only school north of San Francisco participating.

Bellize is now a paid physical education teacher at the school, and she gives more time during her breaks and lunch time to oversee the students. She also works as a personal assistant.

While some sixth-graders experience the “too cool for school” syndrome, most of the students participate daily. Students are encouraged by offering “bonus” miles for showing up and for lapping Bellize.

At the end of the school year, all participants get certificates, and those reaching 100 miles receive gold medals.