Pictured from left are WCS P.E. teachers Jason Culver, Leesburg Elementary, Janell Baute, Claypool Elementary, Sandy Monce, Jefferson Elementary, Kathy Gruenewald, Eisenhower Elementary and Kent Phelps, Lincoln Elementary; Dr. Michael Lyons, DPM, donor; Harrison Elementary PE Teacher Scott Mehlberg, Harrison Elementary Principal Matt Deeds and WCS School Board member Randy Polston. (Photo by Amanda McFarland)

WARSAW — Every elementary student at Warsaw Community Schools will enjoy all-new PE equipment this year thanks to a new mobile storage unit and a donation by a local doctor.

Last spring, PE Teacher Scott Mehlberg was able to purchase a trailer to use as a mobile storage unit, allowing WCS to purchase bigger, better equipment and transport it between schools, rather than each school having to purchase its own equipment.

This year, with a donation by Dr. Michael Lyons of Parkview Health, the department was able to purchase the Heart Adventure Challenge. Designed to teach students about heart health, the course mimics the flow of blood through the veins and arteries.

The design uses tunnels that mimic the various heart chambers, which students move through. This allows them learn about heart health as they exercise.

“My kids are going to go to Warsaw Schools, so if I can contribute to making it better, I’m going to do it,” Lyons said.

The equipment for the challenge will be stored in the trailer and will make its way to all eight WCS elementary schools during the 2016-2017 school year. All grade levels, kindergarten through grade 6, will benefit; that is more than 3,000 students, Mehlberg said.