“This is not your parents’ PE.”
November 14, 2009
Wentzville, MO
Wentzville physical education teachers underwent new training last week as part of the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant the District was awarded in July of this year.
The one-day Sports Play and Active Recreation for Kids (SPARK) training was for all PE teachers K-12, and was led by trainer Mary Hirt from Lincoln Middle School in Santa Monica, California. Hirt is the recipient of district, state and national Teacher of the Year honors. The training engaged the PE teachers in a variety of grade-level appropriate games and activities.
Sandra Moore-Ellison, Physical Education/Health Department Chair at Frontier Middle School, who was instrumental in securing the grant for the District, said professional development for PE teachers has come a long way.
“This is not your parents’ PE,” said Moore-Ellison. “The new trend for PE is moving away from sports-based only activities. The new PE is teaching the students activities that will increase their knowledge for life long health and wellness activities.”
Some examples of new PE activities include three-man tag teams, juggling, and five-man rotations on sports skills.
“It’s all about getting each student to work in their individual target heart rate zone. Results from this activity-based learning has shown an increase in test scores, reading improvement, lower discipline rates, and more brain activity with the increased levels of oxygen intake. Our goal is to provide our students with the tools for life long physical activity and habits that will lead to a more productive and healthier lifestyle,” added Moore-Ellison.
The Wentzville School District is the only district in the State of Missouri that received this grant in the last three years. This year, it is one of only 73 school districts in the nation to receive the grant which totals $943,000 in federal funding over the next three years.
“The money will be used to provide the necessary training and equipment to help us meet our physical education goals.” said Moore-Ellison.
In the first year of the grant the District has received $484,000 in federal funding. The money is being used for professional development, fitness equipment and flooring for both Holt and Timberland High Schools, and $10,000 in SPARK equipment for each of the District’s elementary and middle schools. In year two of the grant, each elementary school will receive a climbing wall and both high schools will receive additional cardio equipment.
From the Wentzville School District.
Copyright 2009 Neighbors About Town
