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New partnership steps up for student wellness

Move2Learn and The Burke & Herbert Bank Foundation Launch After-School Programming for Hammon MS Admirals

Hammond Middle School’s Admirals are charting a new course for health and wellness this year. Move2Learn, an award-winning nonprofit focused on student engagement through movement, is prouyd to announce a new partnership with The Burke & Herbert Bank Foundation to launch exciting after-school programming designed to help students feel better, focus better and thrive.

Thanks to the Foundation’s investment, 25 Hammond students will participate in a 24-session after-school program that blends movement, social connection and wellness, giving Admirals the tools they need to navigate stress, build positive habits and stay anchored to success throughout the school day.

Students will be equipped with club t-shirts, healthy snacks, water bottles and cinch backpacks—all the essentials to get moving and stay motivated. But the real win isn’t just what’s in their backpacks—it’s what happens in their brains.

Each session will also feature Move2Learn’s “SEAL in the Field” lessons, an innovative, on-the-ground approach to strengthening students’ self-regulation, emotional resilience and leadership skills through movement. As students build energy and community after school, the benefits follow them back into the classroom—boosting attendance, improving behavior and strengthening mental health all day long.

“In a world where young people face more pressure than ever, movement isn’t just an outlet, it’s a lifeline,” said Brooke Sydnor Curran, Founder and CEO of Move2Learn. “With The Burke & Herbert Bank Foundation’s support, we’re proud to help our Admirals feel their best, stay engaged and lead the way both on campus and beyond.”

Together, Move2Learn and The Burke & Herbert Bank Foundation are helping Hammond students set a course for success—and proving that sometimes the smallest steps spark the biggest transformations.

About The Burke & Herbert Bank Foundation:
Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Company is the oldest continuously operating bank under its original name headquartered in the greater Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. With over 75 branches across Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Company offers a full range of business and personal financial solutions designed to meet customers’ banking, borrowing, and investment needs. Learn more at www.burkeandherbertbank.com.

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is now

Brooke Sydnor Curran, president and CEO of Move2Learn and the former “runner” of RunningBrooke, shares the story behind our new name and look.

Hecho de la diversión

Tararea tres notas de la mayoría de las canciones de rock/pop en la radio entre 1965 y 1983 y ¡lo nombraré!

Brooke Sydnor Curran

Presidenta y CEO

Empecé a correr cuando era padre de tres niños pequeños para pasar un tiempo a solas. Todavía corro porque es una buena carrera y es una excelente manera de comenzar mi día: pienso mucho durante esas primeras horas de la mañana. Cuando termino, me siento concentrado y listo para enfrentar el mundo.

Hoy en día, la ciencia respalda la evidencia de que correr y el ejercicio en general mejoran no solo la salud emocional, sino también el flujo de sangre al cerebro, lo que facilita concentrarse en la tarea y aprender mejor. Esto es especialmente cierto para los niños en edad escolar, que pasan gran parte de su tiempo en las aulas y se espera que presten atención y hagan su trabajo.

Sin una salida para dirigir positivamente la energía y aumentar el flujo sanguíneo para apoyar la función cerebral, la concentración se resiente, lo que puede ser desastroso para muchos niños.

Mis años de primaria y secundaria

Sé lo que es ser el estudiante que no puede quedarse quieto, tiene dificultades para concentrarse y escuchar al maestro. Ese era yo de niño. Siempre me llamaban por interrumpir el salón de clases. No fue hasta que fui adulto que entendí la relación positiva entre el movimiento y el aprendizaje.

Miro hacia atrás a esos años y los efectos persistentes con empatía por esa niña, pero sé que no estaba, y no está, sola.

Kurt Huffman

Strategic Engagement and Education Consultant

Kurt Huffman brings over 33 years of diverse experience in the field of education, spanning public schools, higher education, nonprofits, and museums. His 25 years in public education include roles as a teacher, principal, and executive director, giving him firsthand knowledge of what schools, students, and families need to thrive.

Kurt’s work is grounded in a deep commitment to student engagement, innovation, and equity – values that align closely with our mission. He believes in the power of movement and connection to drive student success and sees Move2Learn as a vital partner in reshaping how schools approach learning, wellness, and whole-child development. His role in supporting school and district alignment with our programming reflects his passion for meaningful, systems-level impact.

Kidist Square

Out of School Time Program Manager

Kidist Square is a dedicated middle school counselor at F.C. Hammond Middle School, entering her 13th year in the role. A lifelong resident of Alexandria and proud ACPS graduate (class of 2005), Kidist is deeply committed to serving the community that raised her. She brings passion, empathy and a strong sense of purpose to her work with students and families. Outside of school, she enjoys hiking, working out, and getting lost in a good book.