At 1 p.m. today, don’t be alarmed if every student in West Virginia starts spontaneously dancing.
In honor of Physical Activity Day in West Virginia, the state department of education is asking upwards of 78,000 students to get up at 1 p.m. and break into the “Cupid Shuffle.”
The so-called “flash mob” will immediately follow the release of the new West Virginia Physical Activity Plan at noon.
Students will be asked to perform the Cupid Shuffle at their own schools, as well as at the Capitol Rotunda. Gov. Earl Ray Tomlin and state schools Superintendent Jorea Marple are also expected to dance alongside students at the Capitol.
At the time of publication, 235 schools were expected to have their students participate.
“Any time we can encourage children to be active it is a good thing,” said Marple in a statement. “Schools and physical education are critical to addressing childhood obesity and other health issues. Much of the food students eat each day as well as their physical activity happens at school. If we can get kids more involved and interested in exercise, good nutrition, and overall wellness, their quality of life will greatly improve.”
The Cupid Shuffle mob is part of the Let’s Move! West Virginia initiative, which is modeled after first lady Michelle Obama’s national Let’s Move! program.
The West Virginia Physical Activity Plan that debuts today aims to “provide a strategic direction to increase/maintain healthy physical-activity levels” for all the state’s residents, according to the plan’s website.
Here’s an instructional video for those who haven’t been around many school dances lately and need a refresher course on the Cupid Shuffle: