About 200 students from across the division burst through the doors of Sandusky Elementary School to kick off their summer accelerated learning program with a Zumba class.

The Lynchburg City Schools PETAL (Promoting Excellence Through Accelerated Learning) Summer Academy is for selected students who meet certain criteria during the regular school year. This year’s theme is “Move it!” and was chosen not only to go along with the city’s  “Live Healthy Lynchburg” program but also with the idea that students must “Move it” and push themselves academically, physically, and mentally to make it to the next level. Hard work means you have to “Move It!” Zumba instructor Lucy LeRose, who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, has researched the benefits of combining the physical dance moves with the academic message.