Families Get Fit at Jay Cooke
Fitness leads to focus at Jay Cooke Promise Academy, and that is thanks to School Improvement Support Liaison (SISL) Darian Bagley and his “3-15 Theory.” Mr. Bagley started as a SISL at Cooke Elementary at the beginning of this school year, but he is also a fitness coach and an Emmy-award winning film producer. He’s combined all three of his trades in unique ways—he has a YouTube channel where he features his own exercise videos that he produces and stars in.
He’s developed an exercise program called the 3-15 Theory, which is comprised of three different exercises for 15 minutes, 15 seconds between each exercise, and a five minute stretch session before and after the workout. “That’s it,” Mr. Bagley says. “It doesn't sound like a lot but the sweat equity tells the tale.”
Mr. Bagley took his 3-15 Theory program and began offering it every Monday at Cooke Elementary. The weekly exercise session grew so popular among the students, families, and surrounding community that they now have sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and—in a recent addition—Fridays.
“Principal Brown was a key factor in getting the after school workout program up and running,” Mr. Bagley continues. “She understands the idea that with a healthy body and attitude, only then can your mind operate at its highest level, thus increasing the chances for success in whatever activity or occupation our scholars pursue.”
The program is successful, partly because of its academically-focused end goal: that the fitness of the Cooke Elementary community’s bodies will transfer over into their minds. “The idea is to pass this philosophy on to our surrounding community to ensure more instances of success for all in this area.”
Workout Mondays, Workout Wednesdays, and Workout Fridays are all available to the public, and Mr. Bagley and the rest of the Cooke Elementary community encourage as much community participation as possible.
