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OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, November 5, 2009 · 14 By Angela Blackburn Class on a roll with stability balls bouncing as they work, they are also getting a bit of a workout and fulfilling that urge to fidget, which Torok said should not only boost their fitness level, but also their concentration and focus on their work. While no school trustee or parent stood in the way of the experiment, it was actually school principal Tony Agro, who needed convincing. After compiling research on the benefit of the balls, the students and Torok drafted a letter, which was presented to show Agro the idea was solid. Torok reported the school principal was receptive, did not stand in the way of the experiment -- in fact, he wants to get one of the balls for his own office. Torok is hoping to have a more stable classroom -- from health and environmental perspectives. "Our class has decided to pilot a new project with the intentions of creating a better, healthier and more ecofriendly classroom environment. We will be trading in our chairs for stability balls," said Torok. As for falling off goes, Torok said, "We have a rule. Both feet on the floor," adding, "My hope is that the students will take the precautions needed in using the stability balls... and this was reviewed with them prior to the set up. The students are old enough and capable of sitting on the ball with their legs at a 90-degree angle, therefore allowing them to have a safer and more stable posture." After that, Torok leaned over to the classroom counter and knocked wood. While the balls are bouncy, Torok said it's a bit tougher on the butt and definitely takes more work from the lower back and abdominal muscles. "Our class has researched the bene- OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF There's an experiment going on in Room 213 at St. Marguerite D'Youville Catholic School -- it's green and the students feel like they're sitting on mushrooms. It's taking place in Grade 7 French immersion teacher Nina Torok's classroom and while it's not necessarily scientific, it is guaranteed to be green. Torok has been active on the environmental front for most of the five years she's been at the Bayshire Drive elementary school. She founded the Green Team several years ago and has led the school to ECO-Gold certification. Last year, her class adopted two animals through the World Wildlife Foundation. They are arranging to have green carts in every classroom. Students use reusable water bottles and now the students in Torok's own class are sitting on stability balls rather than chairs. Recently, all chairs, except for four, were removed from Torok's classroom and replaced with the stability balls. The students are literally bouncing with delight. "It's cool to be different," said student Jordyn Bell, 12. Lots of curious eyes are stopping by and peering in from the hallway to catch a glimpse of the balls, which Torok describes as free of PVC, latex, phthalates and chloride. "Our school is also an ECO- Gold certified school, therefore we thought it would be important to consider this during our search for the perfect stability ball," said Torok. While many of the students are ERIC RIEHL / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER GREEN-ROLLING THROUGH GRADE 7: Grade 7 French immersion students (clockwise from top left) Megan Segeren, Dillon Rudman, Mackenzie Haas, and Julia DiIanni in Nina Torok's class at St. Marguerite D'Youville Catholic School have tossed aside their desk chairs and using stability balls in their classroom instead. fits of using stability balls instead of the traditional plastic chairs," said Torok, noting the balls should strengthen the body's core, improve posture, provide less noise in the classroom, improve balance, circulation, concentration and quality of school work. "They also add a little `bounce' to your day," she said. Torok came across the idea at a workshop on the government-mandated Daily Physical Activity (PDA) rules. She said she's aware of a public school in Burlington having embarked on as similar experiment, but believes her class is a forerunner in Oakville and for the Halton District Catholic School Board. While the school itself has paid for the balls initially, Torok said she's hoping to recoup costs through a $1,000 grant for which she has applied through grocery chain Metro's Green Apple Grants program. At St. Marguerite, it's cool to be different and a bonus to be helping save the earth while doing so, according to student Cassidy Tyler, 12. Tyler, Bell and peers Lianna Boncore and Daniella Birceno say it feels like sitting on a mushroom while they work. "It's an experiment, we'll see how it goes," said Torok. "My confidence is a lot higher and I feel great." Call today for your free consultation! Fresh Since day one. 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