A before-school program is helping children start their day on the right foot

A before school program is preparing kids for their day.

It's all part of the BOKS program, which is sponsored by the charitable arm of Reebok, which is based in Massachusetts. BOKS is a clever acronym--which stands for BUILD OUR KIDS' SUCCESS. The training is free but you have to have the volunteers to train and then lead the young troops in school before classes start.

At the Carl G. Lauro elementary school in Providence, the day begins early at 745.

"Four mornings a week. It's open to students in grades K through 5 and we have between 35 and 50 students registered for the program,” said Suzanne Madden, the principal.

BOKS is all about healthy play. But there are some rules. They include being respectful, safe and having fun!

"It's a good program to make you concentrate in class and it helps you be fit in the morning," said Denzel Ramos, a fifth-grade student.

It starts with stretching and the skill of the week

"Skills of the week are things such as push-ups, sit-ups, squats,” explained Rachel Burgess, with City Year and a volunteer BOKS instructor.

"And then we explain the importance of exercising those muscles and what those muscles can do."

This BOKS before school program now in its third year here.

“The research shows that if the students are physically active in the morning, their brains will be more active throughout the day," said Madden.

Fifth-grade student, Lisa Nyekan, can attest to that:

"Last year I couldn't really concentrate but now I can,” she said.

"The games lead to teamwork which leads to more sportsmanship and increased problem-solving and different social, emotional skills that we're working on here at the school,” said Madden.

Right now, the Carl G. Lauro school is the only one in Providence offering the BOKS program but there are dozens of schools throughout Rhode Island that offer it. The training is free, but volunteers make it happen.