By the time the new school year started last month, every classroom in Vallecito Elementary was equipped with standing desks. Juliet says that wouldn't have been possible if the teachers weren't in favor of the change, as well.
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All the old sitting desks are currently in the "Desk Graveyard" (below, right) outside of the school, and they will be donated to schools in developing countries.
"We really want this movement to be teacher/educator-driven," she says. "We said, 'Hey, we can make this happen if you're into it, but it's not going to work and it's not going to be effective if you're not into it.' All the other teachers said, 'Not only are we into it, we're excited about it.'"
While the Starretts believe getting standing desks in elementary schools can play a big role in the fight against childhood obesity, they know it's not a cure-all answer to the problem. But it is a step toward changing our culture of a sedentary lifestyle for the next generation, and the response has been undeniable.
"We've gotten a massive amount of emails from other teachers who are now pursuing this both locally and nationwide," Juliet says. "There's something to this. I think people are really thinking about alternatives to our current education model. It's pretty exciting."
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