AIKEN - More exercise in a daily routine has become inventive and expressive for area teachers as they try to meet state fitness standards.

The South Carolina state Health and Fitness Act reached the second year of a three-year implementation in August. Now teachers are squeezing in 90 minutes of physical education classes each week in addition to 90 minutes of extra activity throughout the week.

Pupils have organized recess and even active morning announcements with "jump at the bell."

"We had to really get a lot in with in the 30 minutes," said Corrine Esposito, a Hammond Hill physical education teacher. "They stay moving the whole time and we're right on task."

Earlier this year, Ms. Esposito gained P.E. staff members to accommodate the law changes, which included lower pupil teacher ratio and more class time.

So she doesn't waste any time in 30 minute sessions, Ms. Esposito had pupils begin the year energized for her class with a Get Kids Fit Day where all grades participated in jazzercise.

"It just gets them motivated for starting the class," she said.

While local schools stay active, across the country P.E. classes are dwindling and forcing schools to get creative to keep pupils active.

The Centers for Disease Control said that in 2003 only 55.7 percent of high school students were enrolled in a P.E. class and only 39.2 percent were physically active during the class.

The rate for overweight adolescents ages 12 to 19 has also tripled from 5 percent in 1980 to 15 percent in 2000.

South Carolina law focused on encouraging fitness of elementary pupils in hopes that healthy habits would be instilled by high school.

"Just think that with all of the publicity and awareness that's been put on these physical education and health issues for all of us, South Carolina is fortunate enough to have legislation that has teeth to make sure something happens," said Cathy Jones, with the S.C. Department of Education.

A lack in certified P.E. teachers has districts struggling to meet the pupil-teacher ratio of 600 to 1, Ms. Jones said. She hopes that the new law will encourage pupils' love of exercise and maybe one day lead them to their career.

Keeping pupils interested in P.E. time isn't too difficult at the elementary level though, Ms. Esposito said.

Each grade works on different skills, ranging from basketball and soccer to gymnastics.

"We can reach the rest of the time limits with DVDs and CDs in classes to work on with teachers," Ms. Esposito said. "We're on task and our kids are active, so hopefully we'll see changes."

Reach Julia Sellers at (803) 648-1395, ext. 106 or julia.sellers@augustachronicle.com