Lake County Gazette

Lake Forest School District 67 announced that Sheridan Elementary students participated in the nationwide ACES Walk on May 7. This event is part of the All Children Exercise Simultaneously initiative, which involves schools across the country.

According to Lake Forest School District 67, Sheridan students engaged in a group walk around their neighborhood to promote physical activity and support healthy routines, thereby contributing to school community involvement.

Project ACES (All Children Exercise Simultaneously) was developed by physical education teacher Len Saunders in 1989. It is a global initiative aimed at encouraging students to exercise together to foster healthy habits and combat childhood obesity. Held annually on the first Wednesday in May during National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, the event unites millions of children worldwide for a coordinated exercise session, often referred to as "the world’s largest exercise class." Schools are also encouraged to form year-round Project ACES Clubs with options for daily, weekly, or monthly participation. The program's goal is to promote lifelong fitness and reduce health risks through consistent physical activity, according to its website.

Sheridan Elementary School is located at 1360 N. Sheridan Rd. in Lake Forest, Illinois. It serves students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade and operates Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Established in 1956, the school has an enrollment of 216 students and uses royal blue and red as its colors, featuring "Spark" the Shark as its mascot. Daily operations include student supervision beginning at 7:40 a.m., tardy sign-ins after 8:00 a.m., and scheduled dismissal at 1:45 p.m. on Mondays and 2:50 p.m. for the rest of the week.

Lake Forest Elementary School District 67 serves approximately 1,600 students from Pre-K through eighth grade. The district includes three elementary schools—Cherokee Elementary (K-4), Everett Elementary (K-4), and Sheridan Elementary (Pre-K-4)—as well as Deer Path Middle School (5-8). Known for its innovative instructional practices, District 67 emphasizes inclusive education and personalized learning experiences that support academic, social, emotional, and behavioral development. The district’s mission is to inspire and empower students to maximize growth and cultivate respect for others in a dynamic, safe learning environment.