Tamil Nadu Weekly Roundup

THE state government has threatened to withdraw recognition of schools whose moral standards are poor.

School Education Minister Thangam Thennarasu said there have been several cases of student deaths, sexual exploitation on the campus and corporal punishment in government-aided schools recently.

A 17-year-old girl in Omalur in Salem district was found dead on November 18. Her body was found floating in a well inside the school campus with wounds.

Her parents alleged she had been raped and thrown into the well. They said two other students had died under similar circumstances earlier this year.

In Chennai two teachers were suspended for sexually abusing a student. Another teacher has been accused of hitting a six-year-old for damaging his bike.

The minister said a team was probing all incidents. "Once the report is ready, the government will take action including setting up a complaint cell for students."

Y's 'virtual personal trainer' will help to get you in shape

By Jessica Sheedy

KERNERSVILLE

Have you ever thought of hiring a personal trainer, only to find out that it was too expensive?

Without coaching, most exercisers use poor form or lose motivation, which can lead to disappointing results and often a lack of commitment.

The Kernersville Family YMCA offers an exciting motivational tool - a "virtual personal trainer." The YMCA in Kernersville is one of only 500 centers in the United States with FitLinxx interactive coaching software.

FitLinxx monitors individuals through their workouts for better form and tracks their progress over time. Members' safety and confidence increase during every exercise.

FitLinxx is an easy-to-read touch-screen display that is attached to each strength-training machine. Users tap in their PIN to display their targets, and FitLinxx then coaches them on speed and form and tracks the workout session.

There are no workout cards to carry around, and you don't need to remember your seat or weight settings. Users log in their cardiovascular-exercise time so they can track their time and intensity.

The wellness staff reviews workouts and can identify people who may need a little help staying on track, which can help prevent exercise dropouts. Such incentives as shirts and sweatshirts are also provided to help increase adherence to the exercise.

In addition, FitLinxx provides a Web site for users to become more committed to their exercise program by checking their progress and entering their workout results.

The YMCA's cardiovascular equipment is replaced every three years. The newest treadmills, ellipticals, stairclimbers and bikes have been delivered. The YMCA has also added Nautilus TreadClimbers to its Wellness Center.

• Jessica Sheedy is the senior program director at the Kernersville Family YMCA.

Rose featured at historical society meeting

SEMINOLE – The Seminole Historical Society will host Dr. Scott Rose at its meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 7 p.m., at the Seminole Recreation Center.

Rose, remembered in the Seminole area as teacher and principal at Seminole High School during its early years, also was superintendent of the Pinellas County School System. Many who have attended Seminole High or had children there will enjoy reminiscing with Rose and sharing old school yearbooks and other memorabilia.

Historical artifacts, photos, documents, items of significance to the history of the Seminole area are welcome and can be brought to the meeting to add to the society’s growing collection for its future museum.