PE4life

PEP Grant + Exergaming

2012-01-19T15:01:00.004-06:00

This is a sponsored post from Motion Fitness.

With the release of the 2011 Carol White PEP Grants we always get asked the same question, how do you get the most out of your PEP Grant no matter what stage you’re in (year 1, year 2, year 3) and make the biggest impact on your community and students grades? Kenston Local Schools in Chagrin Falls, OH was posed with the same question. How would they use the grant of federal funds earmarked for physical education programming for the district’s 3,200 K-12 students? Enter Motion Fitness and Exergaming.

What is Exergaming? Exergaming is a great tool to motivate people to participate and engage through games.

“I couldn't be happier with our "exergaming" equipment purchased from Motion Fitness! Children of all ages within the Kenston Local School District enjoy this fun, challenging way of exercising, which many have never experienced in a school setting. It is especially exciting to see our students after they have used our iDANCE System, with over 32 children being able to play at once it is Multiplayer exergaming fun! Motion Fitness has allowed us to engage students in the Physical Education setting that may have been previously "turned off" to physical activity,” Jeff Gowdy, PEP Grant Facilitator.

As the New Year on PEP grants turns we invite all previous, current and future PEP Grant winners the opportunity to learn more about exergaming, and how it can be implemented at your facility with great success through Motion Fitness.

To learn more about Motion Fitness, visit www.motionfitness.com.

Healthy Habits, Healthier Lives

2012-01-19T14:53:00.005-06:00

This is a sponsored post from Polar.

Physical educators in School District 196 in Minnesota are teaching fitness for a lifetime, and PE technology is helping make it possible.

We all know that the habits kids develop while they’re young can stay with them past their school days and into adulthood. Obviously, among the most valuable habits students need to adopt is that of making the commitment to physical fitness. “Our program not only has an impact on each student’s current fitness, but it also gives them the tools to continue the healthy habits that will last a lifetime,” states Deb Peterson, Department Leader for Physical Education/Health and Safety Education for School District 196 in Apple Valley, Minnesota.

Students in the district who are enrolled in grades 9-12 at Eastview High school are utilizing Polar activity monitoring technology as well as Polar heart rate monitors and TriFIT fitness assessment systems. Feedback gained from the technology has provided noticeable advantages for physical educators in communicating the importance of fitness and healthy lifestyles to students.

“As educators we believe it is vitally important to teach our students proper exercise intensity and the value of using progressive workouts to reach a healthy level of cardio fitness. What makes our program so exceptional is that through technology we have the data that demonstrates we are having an impact on the fitness of our students,” continues Deb. “We use pre and post assessments each quarter to evaluate the rigor of our class activities and make sure we are creating opportunities for our students to exercise at the necessary level of intensity. These assessments also allow each student to see how much they have improved their own fitness.”

The Physical Education Department at Eastview High School has also partnered with the Exercise Physiology Department at the University of Minnesota – using PE technology to test students as part of an initiative to measure cardiovascular fitness levels and cardio improvement. Results from the tests will then be utilized to create norms as a way of further enhancing the high school’s PE curriculum…and the health of students.

For more information about Polar, visit www.polarusa.com.

Heart Rate Monitors: Common Questions from Parents and Tips for Answering Them

2011-11-02T10:37:00.010-05:00

Heart rate monitors are still a fairly new technology being used in the physical education world and while we all recognize the benefits, many of our parents still need to be educated. Jen Neubauer, PE4life Program Delivery Specialist, recently provided a teacher with answers to common questions/concerns about the use of heart rate monitors, as well as some tips on how to implement the technology.

We hope you'll be able to take some of this information and use it to educate your parents. If you need further proof of the benefits, share this touching article about an Urbandale High School PE teacher who discovered a student's heart condition through the use of a heart rate monitor.

1. Is every monitor being sanitized properly after EACH child uses it?
Yes, they should be and this is a great lesson for students to learn because this will be expected of them when exercising at a fitness center. It is common courtesy to wipe down the area where you worked out and were sweating; along with any equipment used. Therefore, the watch and transmitter components should be wiped off by the student wearing them before they put them away at the end of class. This can be done in several ways:

A bucket of soapy water and a cloth/towel for wiping and drying
A spray bottle with solution that is safe for the equipment and the students along with towels to wipe/dry them off (towels can be brown paper towels or regular shower type towels. One adds up to a lot of trash and the other means someone will be doing laundry)
A container of wipes (think of it as a giant container full of wet wipes)

You will need to find which method will be effective, efficient, and inexpensive for your program.

As far as the elastic chest strap component - it is highly recommended that each student purchase and have their own or "rent" it from the dept (ex: student pays a rental fee of $5 and if they return it at the end of the year they get $3 back) . This way it is sized and ready all the time for their body type (no time wasted between classes for the next student to adjust it). They keep it in their locker with their other workout clothes and they are the ones responsible for laundering it.

If the student will be "borrowing" a strap from the PE dept. each class period then they will have to deal with possibly sharing the strap with another student and that cold, wet uncomfortable feeling of someone else's sweat is something they are choosing to do. The straps would be put in a laundry bag and washed once a week or once a day or whatever is feasible. Obviously, you can't do that after every class period.

2. Is every monitor being calibrated after EACH use?
Each student should be taken through a lesson where they determine their own personal RHR and their MHR and then their THR training zones. Depending on the type of Heart Rate Monitor you are using you have some different choices.

You could program all the monitors to fit the lowest number and the highest number
You could program all the monitors based on an average of everyone's lowest/highest numbers
You could program one bag of monitors for one THR zone and another for a different THR zone, then assign students to the bag of monitors that fits their needs.
You could train the students on how to change the THR zone settings in the monitor before they begin exercising that day in class (not recommended for time management and on certain monitors it may then skew results of others using the monitors before/after them if the files are saved.)

Example: Looking at the training zones below....I know that my PE teacher wants me to spend 20 minutes in my zone which they have set the monitor at 120 bpm and 180 bpm. But, according to the lesson I did, my 60-80% training zones are 145bpm - 175bpm. Therefore, I know that the zones programmed by my teacher will still include a safe zone for me to exercise in and get health benefits from. No matter what the monitor is programmed for I know what my true zones are and I am still able to accumulate minutes in the zone programmed by the teacher to show my participation/effort levels.

TRAINING ZONES

Healthy Heart Zone (Warm up) --- 50 - 60% of maximum heart rate: The easiest zone and probably the best zone for people just starting a fitness program. It can also be used as a warm up for more serious walkers. This zone has been shown to help decrease body fat, blood pressure and cholesterol. It also decreases the risk of degenerative diseases and has a low risk of injury. 85% of calories burned in this zone are fats!

Fitness Zone (Fat Burning) --- 60 - 70% of maximum heart rate: This zone provides the same benefits as the healthy heart zone, but is more intense and burns more total calories. The percent of fat calories is still 85%.

Aerobic Zone (Endurance Training) --- 70 - 80% of maximum heart rate: The aerobic zone will improve your cardiovascular and respiratory system AND increase the size and strength of your heart. This is the preferred zone if you are training for an endurance event. More calories are burned with 50% from fat.

Anaerobic Zone (Performance Training) --- 80 - 90% of maximum heart rate: Benefits of this zone include an improved VO2 maximum (the highest amount of oxygen one can consume during exercise) and thus an improved cardiorespiratory system, and a higher lactate tolerance ability which means your endurance will improve and you'll be able to fight fatigue better. This is a high intensity zone burning more calories, 15 % from fat.

Red Line (Maximum Effort) --- 90 - 100% of maximum heart rate: Although this zone burns the highest number of calories, it is very intense. Most people can only stay in this zone for short periods. You should only train in this zone if you are in very good shape and have been cleared by a physician to do so.

3. Who determines the heart rate for each child? Every human body is different and should be treated as such.
A child or adult's Resting Heart Rate is used as an indicator of health/fitness levels. Because of the variance in those groups the medical field has determined what is a healthy Resting Heart Rate range. Teachers use the information they are given from the medical and science fields.

That healthy resting heart rate range, due to the variance among those groups, supports the statement - "Every human body is different and should be treated as such."

In fact, that is the #1 factor for why Heart Rate Monitors should be mandatory in PE classes. In every type of presentation about heart rate monitors, that is the one statement heard every time...Every body....every student... is different and should be treated as such! No more teachers guessing by looking at a student to see if they are being safe or working out in the correct zone or trying hard enough or putting in effort. The heart rate monitor treats everyone as an individual giving them instant feedback about THEIR heart....it levels the playing field and makes individual assessment fair and most importantly keeps individuals SAFE!!

4. Is it the schools place to determine what a healthy heart rate is for any student?
No it is not. As stated in the previous question/response, a healthy resting heart rate is determined by the medical/science field. Schools/PE teachers should use that information they are given to do the following for their students.
It is the schools place to....

Educate them on what is RHR (resting heart rate), MHR (maximum heart rate), and THR (target heart rate). Why are those important to know and to measure? How are those different from person to person? How can you control or change any of those?
Educate them on how to find their own Maximum Heart Rate
Educate them on how to find their own Resting Heart Rate
Educate them on how to use both MHR and RHR in the Karvonen Formula so that they can find their own THR (great interdisciplinary lesson with Math)
Educate them on the different THR zones they can train in. Help them understand and appreciate how each individual's "numbers" for their zone are going to be different because every human body is different (due to the differences in the Resting Heart Rate).
Educate the students on how the heart rate monitor works and how it is a window to their heart. Since each person has now calculated their own THR zone that is unique to them, they can personally monitor what zones they are working out in and do it in a safe manner.
Educate them on how one type of exercise may produce different data for different people.
Educate them to find what types of exercise or activities get them into specific zones - you want them to start individualizing their exercise plans and their choices

If it is the school's place to educate each student on all of those and so much more, it is the schools responsibility to provide the appropriate educational measurement tools to do that.... Heart Rate Monitors.

6. Doesn't the HIPPA privacy act make this is an invasion of privacy?
Schools are not a covered HIPPA entity and the data obtained is considered Educational Records and protected by FERPA. Their heart rate data (scores) should be treated like any other scores they get on a math test, english test, ITBS test....it is private information between the student - teacher - parents.

7. Is a students' current health condition taken into consideration?
Of course....with every exercise or workout or athletic practice or testing situation....anytime a child is ill or having health issues that would be brought to the attention of any teacher and accommodations made. The difference in heart rates and the factors for variance and how that is accounted for in the training zones for each person have been well stated in the answers above.

Looking to purchase heart rate monitors for your classroom? Check out this list of our Preferred Vendors, including Ekho and Polar, for discounts and special offers!

Any additional questions you’ve been asked that aren’t on the list? Leave them in the comments and we’ll do our best to answer them.

How are you getting creative to overcome obstacles?

2011-10-21T13:11:00.004-05:00

Fitting In Exercise, Between Math and English, an article published by The New York Times, shares how physical educators in New York have had to get creative in order to beat budget cuts and time limitations, to provide physical activity to their students. Unfortunately, this issue isn't limited to New York - it's happening all over the country. Physical education professionals have had to become some of the most innovative and out-of-the-box thinkers of all professions.

The article sites running clubs and storage closets turned fitness rooms as examples of how physical educators are getting creative. We know you all have done these things, plus more.

We want to hear from you. What challenges are you facing in your school? What have you done to help overcome obstacles? How many minutes/days of PE do your students receive weekly?

A Great Day for Golf!

2011-10-20T09:30:00.009-05:00

Check out these photos from this weekend's free professional development with The First Tee of Greater Kansas City. K-12 educators learned how to teach the Full Swing, Chip, and Putt. This workshop was one of five free professional development opportunities funded by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City. Stay tuned to the PE4life - Kansas City webpage for the next opportunity!

Thanks to all who joined us on this beautiful Saturday!

YES, YOU CAN come to the PE4life Resource Conference!

2011-09-15T09:26:00.004-05:00

Want to attend the PE4life Resource Conference?

Not enough money in your school budget?

Administration won’t allow for time off?

We know times are tough. Schools are facing small to non-existing budgets and some schools are even closing their doors. No surprise that PE continues to take hits – and now professional development opportunities are squelched.

Don’t fret! There are things working in our favor. Childhood obesity is a HOT topic! Everyone, including the First Lady, is jumping on the childhood obesity bandwagon. Brain Research – linking physical activity to academic achievement – is continually evolving and validating our jobs. We’ve all known the value of quality physical education for some time and now it seems that others are finally starting to get it! Take advantage of this – these trending topics can be used to help get you to the PE4life Resource Conference!

Wait, there’s more good news – people actually want to help! Local businesses, foundations and concerned citizens are all looking for ways to contribute. Sponsoring your attendance at the PE4life Resource Conference is a perfect way to do so. We’ve compiled some basic information to help get you there.

When approaching a potential sponsor, whether in writing, over the phone or in person – use the following information to state your best case for needing support and how you plan to use their support to make a difference.

What Attendees Receive:
Attendees of the PE4life Resource Conference will receive two full days of professional development and learning opportunities from nationally-renowned industry leaders who get programmatic results. Speakers at the PE4life Resource Conference have quality, cutting edge programs that see positive impacts in students’ physical health and improvements in student learning. Participants at PE4life events are forward thinking and ready to embrace a new way of teaching physical education. This event is a networking and brainstorming opportunity for like-minded professionals. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with equipment and program vendors who offer quality, innovative and technologically advanced equipment at discounted prices for event participants.

A list of breakout sessions can be found here. Consider mentioning those that may appeal to a particular funder.

What will the Sponsor Receive:
Your sponsor will want recognition for supporting your school/program and for being a good corporate citizen. They will also want to know that their money is going to go towards something that will make an impact.

Be sure to alert your local media/newspaper of the champion sponsor and their commitment to bettering your program.
Invite the Sponsor to see your program in action upon returning from the event (take pictures and inform the media)!
Share your success story with us so we can give them a shout out on our website, blog or through social media!

Funding Needed:
Consider the cost of registration fees, travel (airline, local transportation, hotel, meals) and substitute teacher fees.

Who to approach:
Think of those in your community who share an interest and/or have a stake in the health and wellness of children. If you don’t have a personal contact, ask for someone in the Community Relations, Government Affairs or Marketing departments.

Community members / Businesses / Large employers (especially those whose employees’ children attend your school)
Local Hospitals
Fitness Centers
Local Insurance Agencies
School Vendors for food, sports equipment, etc.
Sporting Good Stores
Civic Organizations
Alumni or Booster Groups
Grocery Stores
Foundations – local or regional business or family foundations

** Don’t forget: Your attendance at the PE4life Resource Conference can be covered in full by PEP Grant funds! **

Additional details to enhance your proposal:

What are you hoping to accomplish by attending the PE4life Resource Conference?
What do you plan to do with the information you receive at the Resource Conference?
Have you attended a PE4life event before? If so, what did you take away from it?

Once you’ve secured your funding, don’t forget these important follow up steps!

Register for the event!
Alert your local media and tell them who are Champions for physical education!
Share your success with us! We want to know how you did it and your lessons learned.)
Tell us who is supporting physical education in your area. We want to give them a shout out!

Good luck! We hope to see you in October!

Robyn Bretzing: Keynote Speaker at 2011 Resource Conference

2011-09-14T14:50:00.018-05:00

We are so excited to have Robyn Bretzing as Keynote Speaker at the Resource Conference this year!

Check out this article from Brigham Young University's McKay Today Magazine that highlights Robyn's teaching philosophy and what her program is all about.

"What is knowledge without health?" This question drives Robyn Bretzing, an award winning high school physical education instructor, to teach PE classes that include Mountain Biking, Pilates, Land Paddling, Bouldering, Kickboxing, Spinning - anything that promotes lifetime fitness - to her high school students. "My dream is that every student will leave my classroom with a passion for personal fitness and a desire to lead an active lifestyle. A lofty dream, but a dream worth pursuing and planning for every day I teach."

Robyn leads out in a physical education movement that aims to teach students traits and habits that will keep them active for life. Honors on the state and national level for teaching and coaching have put her in demand as a lecturer: Utah's AAHPERD Teacher of the Year 2007, SWD Teacher of the Year 2008, Alpine School District Golden Apple Award 2007, Addidas Region IV Coach of the Year 2004, and Utah Soccer Hall of Fame 2007.

Robyn is also changing professional expectations. She admits that in many places there are not any expectations for PE teachers. Principals are content as long as kids are out of the halls and in the gym. Robyn labels this perception as "sad" and advises other PE teachers, "You are the only one who has to take pride in what you do - and you have to exceed expectations, because PE expectations for the most part are very minimal."

It is clear that Robyn's passion is to educate students for a lifetime by providing a curriculum that keeps the whole class moving and having fun while at the same time learning to think about fitness and its effect on health. Her purpose is to make a difference in students lives now and 30 years from now. Robyn concludes, "I tell my kids that if there is one subject they will use for life, PE is it!"

To read the entire article on Robyn's program at Timpanogos High School, go to: education.byu.edu/news/magazine/liveit

Learn more about Robyn's Keynote Presentation at the Resource Conference.

About Robyn
After years of research and revision, Robyn has developed one of the most progressive PE programs in the country. She has been asked to present at UAPHERD, SWD and Central District Conventions and continues to travel the country presenting and inspiring teachers to push the limits in PE and design curriculum relevant to current fitness trends.

Robyn was named the UAHPERD and Southwest District Teacher of the Year in 2008 and is currently the Physical Education teacher at Timpanogos High School and the Alpine District PE Specialist.

The 2011 Resource Conference will be held on Oct. 10th and 11th in Overland Park, KS. Register now. See you there!

iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch Apps for Use in Physical Education

2011-09-09T12:09:00.000-05:00

Looking for the most useful iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch/ apps to use in your PE class? Check out this list below. To download the list, click here. Also check out these websites for more information on technology use in education: www.thepegeek.com and www.EmergingEdTech.com.

Game Changer: Phil Lawler's Crusade to Help Children by Improving Physical Education

2011-08-22T09:23:00.004-05:00

A Kansas City School Extends PE Beyond the Walls of their Gymnasium

2011-06-01T13:19:00.000-05:00

Frank Rushton Elementary “Girls and Mom’s on the Move” Program

written by Ashley Davies, Program Support Specialist, PE4life

PE4life loves to see physical activity and education going beyond the walls of the gymnasium. Check out how a Kansas City, Kansas school and community made it happen:

In the fall of 2009, Karin Morgan and Sarah McGinty, Cardiac RN’s in the Change of Heart Program at The University of Kansas Hospital decided they wanted to bring health education and prevention of heart disease to their hospital neighbors in the Rosedale community of Kansas City, Kansas. They wanted to expose their community to the benefits of exercise in the hopes of influencing entire families and their neighborhoods. Karin and Sarah were informed of the Rosedale Healthy Kids Initiative, an advocacy organization aimed at reducing childhood obesity in the Rosedale community by promoting active lifestyles and healthy food choices. The organization directed the ladies to contact Mary Welsh, principal at Frank Rushton Elementary School in the Rosedale neighborhood.

Karin and Sarah met with Mary and other teachers from the school and explored several programs already offered in the area, as well as other options. In the end they chose the “Girls and Moms on the Move” program. The program initiated at the Minneapolis Heart Institute and is designed for mothers and daughters to get healthy, be active, and have fun together. Several meetings over the next year or so were held to organize all aspects of the program before starting it in the spring of 2011.

“Girls and Moms on the Move” is a 6-week program meeting once each week. The meetings were attended by a handful of 3^rd-5^th grade female students, teachers, community volunteers, and the principal. Each meeting began with a healthy homemade snack either donated by a local business or prepared by the volunteers. Karin and Sarah would conduct a short lesson on various health topics. Finally the group would complete a measured route, either walking or jogging at their own pace. The program culminated with the Mother’s Day 5K Walk/Run on May 8^th at Corporate Woods in Overland Park, Kansas. The program provided monetary compensation for the event entry fees for the girls and their mothers. Also, a local company donated “gently used” athletic shoes for some of the participants.

The program was tremendously successful! Check out what some of the participants had to say:

Karin- “I feel the program was a great success! I think it sparked an interest in physical activity for the girls, their moms, and even some of the teachers.”

Sarah- “Many of the moms said they felt empowered and very proud in completing the 5K race. We hope to continue the program in both the fall and the spring.”

Participating Mother- “My daughter is choosing activity time over TV.”

3^rd Grade Girl- “I really liked the race!”

Another Participating Mother- “It is something I would never have done on my own. I like it and would do it again!”

Principal- “It was a great opportunity for girls and their moms to spend some quality time together, engaged in productive activity.”

5^th Grade Girl- “Since the program started, I finish my homework and go out and run.”

PE Teacher- “I enjoyed seeing the girls in a different atmosphere, outside of class time, and getting to know them better.”

Classroom Teacher- “I enjoyed seeing the girls doing an activity with their mothers.”

PE4life would like to congratulate all the organizers, volunteers and participants of the Frank Rushton Girls and Moms on the Move program- YOU ROCK! To get more information on this program you can email info@mhif.org or call 612/863-3979.

We encourage you to extend PE beyond the walls of the gymnasium and to get your students, parents, school and community active and healthy- be a catalyst for change!

PE4life's Board Chairman Inducted into Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame

2011-05-06T13:25:00.003-05:00

Congratulations to Jim Baugh , Board Chairman and founder of PE4life, for being inducted into the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame this week!

Check out Jim's impressive bio below or read the article in entirety.

Jim Baugh
Wilson Sporting Goods Co.
Jim Baugh and the sport of tennis will forever be linked. Baugh’s passion for the sport was demonstrated in successes at Wilson Sporting Goods Co. and earlier in his career, at Prince Manufacturing. But tennis was just part of this energetic leader’s passion.

His vision for improving the health and fitness of American children became reality through PE4life. He also helped raise nearly $500 million in federal grants for schools through the Carol M. White Physical Education Program, known in the industry as the PEP Program.

After a brief stint as a sales rep for Converse, Baugh joined Prince (1977-83) during a time when that company ranked as the No. 1 tennis racquet brand in the U.S. He served as national sales manager and manager of dealer relations. As vice president of sales and marketing, Prince grew from $6 million to $60 million in sales.

Baugh joined Wilson in 1987 as general manager of Wilson Racquet Sports until 1996, when he was named president of Wilson Sporting Goods (1996-2003). At Wilson Racquet Sports, the company’s share jumped from 14% to more than 50%, and the company launched breakthrough technologies with three racquets and footwear.

As president, Baugh led a very profitable $1 billion global company. He developed a uniform branding and marketing approach for all divisions. He also served on the strategic board of Wilson’s parent company, Amer, overlooking Atomic, Suunto and recommending the acquisition of Precor.

While at Wilson, Baugh joined the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) board of directors, a position he still holds. It was through SGMA that PE4life was founded, dedicated to rebuilding quality physical education programs in our nation’s schools.

After leaving Wilson, Baugh served as president of the Tennis Industry Association and as a board member of the United States Tennis Association (USTA). He helped launch grassroots programs that turned around a decline in participation and saw a 23% increase in play occasions.

Baugh lives in Jupiter, Fla. and consults with various companies and associations in the sporting goods and leisure industry.

About the Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame

The Sporting Goods Industry Hall of Fame was created to honor the pioneers, innovators and leaders who built the sporting sporting goods industry and to help recognize and encourage excellence within the sporting goods industry. Many sporting goods retailers, dealers and manufacturers felt there was a need for leaders in the sporting goods industry to be recognized by their peers. To provide this recognition, the SPORTING GOODS INDUSTRY HALL OF FAME was created in 1955.

Jim joined other big names in the Hall of Fame from companies like NIKE, Inc.; Dick's Sporting Goods; Converse, Inc.; Cabela's and many others.

To learn more about the National Sporting Goods Association, click here.

Congratulations, Jim!

Funding Opp that can Jumpstart your PE Program!

2011-02-24T09:58:00.007-06:00

PE4life is excited to partner with the Churchill Family Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation to provide a one-time partial scholarship to an Introductory Workshop at the PE4life Academy Training Center in Titusville, PA.

In 2006, a school from Tonganoxie, Kansas registered to attend a PE4life Academy Training in Titusville. They chose to attend Titusville because it was similar to their community in terms of size and school demographics. We were pleased to receive this update on their progress.

Hi Tim,

It’s been awhile since we have communicated and I thought it was about time we give you a P.E. update. Since we returned from visiting you in 2006, we have made great strides in unifying our physical education department. We presented to the board about our experience in Titusville and started envisioning what a future physical education program in Tonganoxie should look like. Tim, we are almost there!!!

We continued to discuss improvements and grant possibilities with our administrators. We were able to get help with a district-hired grant writer who had never even heard of the PEP grant. We gave her all kinds of information and we came up with a plan to collect data the following school year. Hopefully, you noticed that we were awarded the PEP grant in 2009. We named our PEP grant "Kansas Adventures" and focused on activities families could do in Kansas. Kids could learn about those activities then encourage their family to get involved. We concentrated on hiking, walking, and CPR/First Aid (high school) the first year, climbing and high adventure (high school) and bicycling the third year.

We now have a fitness room in each building, climbing walls in every gym with a high adventure course in the high school. We have added one full time P.E. teacher in each building giving us a total of 3 teachers per building which allowed us to add classes at the high school and help to address the overcrowded classes at the middle and elementary school. The third teacher at the elementary school has also been able to add a health curriculum for all students and is able to meet twice a month with each class for a standardized health lesson.

We have implemented Wel-Pro, a web-based tracking system for fitness tests so we can keep student information continuous through their years at Tonganoxie schools. We have written a guide for giving fitness tests in our district so that all of us use the same equipment in the same way and all of the testing can have accurate annual comparisons.

We are currently planning our bicycling strategy for year 3 and our district is hoping to pass a bond issue in April for a second elementary school. With administrator approval, there is a fitness room included in the plans as well as a gym that was enlarged to have 3 teaching spaces (3 cross-courts).

As I looked at the new building plans, I couldn't help but think it all started with a trip to Titusville, and the support of our administration believing in us. Thank you again for giving us the opportunity to see your program and know that you still continue to have an impact on our physical education program.

Together in physical education, sincerely,

Ursula Kissinger
Tonganoxie Elementary School
Tonganoxie, KS

Congratulations Tonganoxie School District! Keep up the great work!

----------

Churchill Family Fund PE4life Introductory Workshop Scholarship
Deadline to Apply: Friday, February 25, 2011
How to Apply: Fill out and submit this application following the directions on the form.

The Titusville Area School District (Titusville, PA) has been recognized as a PE4life Academy. PE4life Academies are exemplary physical education programs that open their doors to others in efforts to inspire and paint a picture of quality programming. If representatives from your school are interested in attending an Introductory Workshop at a PE4life Academy, contact Rachelle Gardner at rgardner@pe4life.org or 816-472-7345.

Learn more about PE4life Academies and our Support Services here.

December Fun at the 2010 NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship

2011-02-02T14:53:00.015-06:00

December 2010 - The University of Missouri -Kansas City (UMKC) and the Kansas City Sports Commission hosted the NCAA Division 1 Volleyball National Championship at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. In conjunction with the tournament the American Volleyball Coaches Association held a free clinic for children ages 8-13, conducted by the Minority Volleyball Coaches Association.

PE4life was happy to be able to help coordinate this awesome event! More than 300 children attended the clinic and nearly a third of them were from schools that have trained with PE4life! In addition to a draw-string bag, t-shirt, water bottle and volleyball, each student also received one complimentary ticket to the NCAA championship game that evening (did I mention this was all free?!).

Here’s what some of the attendees had to say about the event:

"I was very happy to help coordinate this amazing opportunity for our PE4life schools. It was great to see how dedicated some of our teachers are because they chose to use their personal time to take the kids. I was thrilled with the responses after the clinic. The students were able to learn a great deal from the clinic and, along with the teachers and parents, were so appreciative for this opportunity. I am very thankful to the volleyball coaches at the clinic and WIN for KC for allowing PE4life to be a part of this activity." - Ashley Davies, Program Support Specialist, PE4ilfe

“Our PTA paid for our bus which was awesome so it allowed more kids to come. We took 35 kids from Silver City. Ms. Belohavy, SPED teacher came with me- she was awesome. Also, I had 2 parent volunteers come. The coaches were fantastic and really patient and kind to our kids who ranged all over the place with their skills. It was nice to have a very diverse group of coaches for our kids. It was such a rewarding and fun experience not only for our students, but for the adults. It was such a great time and thanks to PE4life for the information and the Minority Coaches Association for all of the coaches helping at the clinic.” - Stephanie Dickson, Teacher, Silver City Elementary, Kansas City, KS

“It was so much fun! I had fun cheering at the game. The coaches were nice. It was cool being one of the only boys at the clinic.” 3rd grader, Silver City Elementary, Kansas City, KS

“The coaches were awesome! I had a good time at the game. They play really fast. I use the water bottle all the time and I can’t wait to play outside with my volleyball.”- 5th grader, Silver City Elementary, Kansas City, KS

“It was really fun and cool to do something different. Ms. Walsh (Kerri Walsh- pro beach volleyball player) said some very inspirational things.” 5th grader, Silver City Elementary, Kansas City, KS

“It was a really great experience for the girls. They learned a lot of new volleyball drills and they had fun at the game. Many of them had never been down to that area so they enjoyed the experience of seeing everything.” - Mike Fitzgibbons, Teacher, Argentine Middle School, Kansas City, KS

“Thank you so much for this opportunity! The kids really enjoyed it but it was great for me too. When Kerri Walsh came out I was in shock- very cool!” Amanda Ruffin, Teacher, Noble Prentis Elementary- Caruthers Elementary, Kansas City, KS

Thanks to all who made this a great event and thanks for letting PE4life be a part of it!

PE4life Hosts Successful Professional Development for Arkansas Schools!

2011-01-24T14:17:00.009-06:00

Last week, we hosted two successful events with guest speaker Jean Blaydes Madigan, Neurokinesiologist/Consultant/M.Ed, international speaker, and noted author of “Thinking on Your Feet: A Year’s Worth of Lesson Plans” and “Action Based Learning™ Lab Manual.”

Jean introduced exciting new brain research that supports the importance of movement in the learning process. This latest research advocates for and justifies daily quality physical education and/or movement in the classroom. Jean uses fun and exciting games, fitness, and rhythmic activities to demonstrate how to boost a child's brain power, how to prepare the brain for optimum learning, and how to improve memory and retention while reinforcing the classroom teacher's curriculum.

Siloam Springs
January 17, 2011 – Siloam Springs, AR – More than 300 teachers and school leaders from the Siloam Springs School District and other surrounding districts attended this high energy professional development opportunity. Here's what Siloam Springs School District's Curriculum Director, Connie Matchell, had to say about the event:

"Our day with Jean was wonderful. I have never had such an overwhelmingly positive response to any professional development day. The most impressive thing however is the level of implementation of Jean’s suggestions that I am seeing in classrooms all across the district. I was very impressed by the way that she was able to address all levels from Pre-K to high school, she even specifically talked directly to speech pathologists and foreign language teachers. Thank you for the opportunity to have Jean in our district."

Springdale
January 18, 2011 – Springdale, AR – One hundred academic & physical educators, community leaders, parent advocates, and health & wellness champions from more than 30 schools gathered at Har-Ber High School for this free Community Presentation.

The opportunity to host Jean Blaydes Madigan at these events was provided by the Care Foundation.

Were you one of the attendees at these events? Leave a comment letting us know what you enjoyed most!

Want to book Jean for a workshop? Email Rachelle Gardner at programsupport@pe4life.org or call 816-472-7345.

New Year, New Resolutions for PE4life Staff

2011-01-04T12:19:00.010-06:00

Happy New Year, friends!

Tis the season for starting anew… Making those promises that this year will be different/better than the last... Some of us at the PE4life office are determined to do just that.

Here are some of the PE4life Staff’s New Year’s Resolutions:

Jen Neubauer, Program Support Specialist
Since 2011 is the year that I turn the big FOUR O....I decided to Focus on FOUR areas of my life more. These focus areas should bring about a more balanced and healthy lifestyle for me.
Family
Fitness
Finances
Fun
There are very specific things under each area that I plan to track on a monthly basis to keep me accountable. And, I started off the year with a professional organizer that came to my house this morning to help me set up a more functional, organized, and stress reducing PE4Life Home Office!!
(Awesome! Great way to kick off the year, Jen!)

Melanie Sheppard, Communications Coordinator
I’m going to start running again and make healthier food choices.
(Mel was spotted on the treadmill yesterday! Keep it up, girl!)

Ashley Davies, Program Support Specialist
My New Year’s Resolution is to complete at least one athletic event each month of the year (ex. 5K, triathlon, Volleyball/Basketball tourney) and document it (will be my biggest struggle…)!!
(Ashley has yet to officially register for the Groundhog Run at the end of this month, but says she will…)

Jason Robinson, Development Coordinator and Federal Grant Manager
To reign as undefeated/ undisputed champ of PE4life conference table ping pong the entire year!!!
(To date Jason has started off the year undefeated, which some of us are determined to change!)

Kate Jackson, Finance Specialist
I have a New Year’s Resolution but it is not appropriate for the office…. :)
(Go Kate! We think…)

Carrie Gibson, Event Manager
It is my resolution to eliminate Ranch Dressing and Cream Cheese from my diet. I will make healthier food choices in general, but those two specifically have got to stop.
(Day 4 of the New Year and no Ranch Dressing or Cream Cheese consumed!)

Did you know that "Eating Healthier" and "Exercising More" are statistically proven to be the top choice for New Year's Resolutions? PE4lifers are in the business of helping to create a healthy culture for schools and communities, but often get wrapped up behind the desk, forgetting to practice what we preach. With this in mind, I thought this article from MSN’s Fitbie provided some helpful tips. Here's to a prosperous and HEALTHY New Year!

So, what’s YOUR New Year’s Resolution? Tell us in the comments section!

Hazel Grove Elementary Invites KC Wolf to Speak to Students

2010-12-13T10:36:00.013-06:00

Last week I had the opportunity to watch an assembly at Hazel Grove Elementary. Diana Moore, their fantastic PE teacher, worked in conjunction with the PTA to hold a fundraiser to raise money to bring the Kansas City Chief's mascot KC Wolf (aka Dan Meers) to the school.

When KC Wolf appeared, the kids went absolutely bananas! They couldn't get enough--he wiggled his hips and ran up and down the aisles interacting with the students. It quickly became apparent why Dan was perfectly qualified to talk to the students about the importance of exercise and healthy eating--this guy exudes HIGH energy (uh, not to mention the 40 lbs of fur he carries around). Even after he lost the wolf costume, Dan was still very entertaining. The kids were happy to sit and listen as he talked about Play 60, a program with the NFL that encourages children to get at least 60 minutes of exercise per day.

Hazel Grove Elementary School has approximately 500 students and is in an urban and a low socioeconomic setting. They attended a PE4life Introductory Workshop in the Spring of 2010 and are doing some pretty great things. Here Diana talks about the "walking club" she recently started:

"We started the walking club after the initial PE4life training. We wanted to jump start the kids' mornings by getting in a little exercise before they head to their classroom. Our PTA jumped on board and purchased bracelets for all the students who join the club. It is open for all the students and we walk every morning, outside weather permitting, or in the gym. We occasionally have parents and other teachers walking with us! One of the neat things is when parents tell me that their kids' behavior is better than before we had the walking club before school."

Have you ever brought in a mascot or other public figure to speak to your students?
Do you have a walking club?
Do you work closely with your PTA?

We love to heart stories of your successes (and challenges). Let us know what's going on in your school and maybe we'll put you on our blog!

If you're in the KC area and want KC Wolf to make an appearance at your school check him out here.

Students Moved to Move

2010-12-02T14:52:00.012-06:00

by Carrie Gibson, PE4life Event Manager

I was fortunate to have attended a PE4life Introductory Workshop in Des Moines, IA earlier this week. This was my first chance to see all of the exciting things we’ve got going on in Iowa and meet with some of the schools who have been awarded an Adopt-A-School Challenge Scholarship. While there were many great take-aways from my visit, I have to address the most pressing… the song that is stuck in my head!

At Northview Middle School (Ankeny School District), one of the PE4life Model Sites, the very first thing I noticed was the music playing in the different PE classes. It was constant and it was invigorating! Anyone who was subjected to the music felt compelled to MOVE! Set to timed increments, the students knew that if the music was playing they should be moving. Once the music stopped, it was a transition period and time to move on to the next activity. I thought this was great as it allowed for the teacher to focus on the students individually, rather than constantly checking his watch.

While playing four on four field hockey, the teams that weren’t competing were on the sidelines doing arm curls with resistance bands – constant movement, maximizing class time for each student. And then it happened – The Cupid Shuffle blasted through the speakers. Regardless of where they were in the gym – kids (and teachers) began busting a move. Now I’m not sure if you’re familiar with this song. I wasn’t. But after a mad internet search, I’ve been introduced to this contagious line dance called The Cupid Shuffle, and am singing it over, and over, and over…

Now when I was in junior high, I’d say I was pretty normal. I was a bit awkward and a little unsure of myself as I was growing into my body – and I was definitely aware of and avoided most situations where I could make a fool of myself. What struck me about these students is that they felt free enough and compelled enough to dance and move around, without fear of criticism. The music literally moved them. They were being active at their own will and having fun doing it.

Not only was I inspired by what I saw, the school districts who attended the workshop left committed to adding music to their programs. So...

Do YOU play music during your class?

What kind of music gets the best response from your students?
Do YOU dance with your kids like the teachers at Northview Middle School?
What equipment and tools do you use for adding music to your classroom?

Check out The Cupid Shuffle:

Learn how to teach your students the Cupid Shuffle (it is super easy) and other line dances here at DanceJam.com.

Excuses, Excuses

2010-11-11T14:30:00.002-06:00

Ah, the classic gym class excuse. Remember the days when all you had to do was forge your mom’s name on a note to get out of dodgeball? Well those days are long gone (and so is dodgeball!).

We love this "Can Do List" that Tim McCord, PE4life Academy Director, Titusville Area School District, Titusville, PA created to focus on what a sick or injured student can do for physical activity, rather than what they can’t do. Use this letter to help get your wheels turning on what YOU can do to help involve ALL students in your PE program.

And just for the fun of it, here are some ridiculously hilarious excuses (taken from strangeplaces.net). Got a better one? Leave it in the comments below.

• My son is under a doctor's care and should not take P.E. today. Please execute him.
• Please excuse Lisa for being absent. She was sick and I had her shot.
• Dear School: Please ekscuse John being absent on Jan. 28, 29, 30, 31,32, and also 33.
• Please excuse Gloria from Jim today. She is administrating.
• Please excuse Roland from P.E. for a few days. Yesterday he fell out of a tree and misplaced his hip.
• John has been absent because he had two teeth taken out of his face.
• Carlos was absent yesterday because he was playing football. He was hurt in the growing part.
• Megan could not come to school today because she has been bothered by very close veins.
• Please excuse Ray Friday from school. He has very loose vowels.
• Please excuse Tommy for being absent yesterday. He had diarrhea and his boots leak.
• Irving was absent yesterday because he missed his bust.
• Please excuse Jimmy for being. It was his father's fault.
• Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch, and when we found it Monday, we thought it was Sunday.
• Sally won't be in school a week from Friday. We have to attend her funeral.
• My daughter was absent yesterday because she was tired. She spent a weekend with the Marines.
• Please excuse Jason for being absent yesterday. He had a cold and could not breed well.
• Please excuse Mary for being absent yesterday. She was in bed with gramps.
• Gloria was absent yesterday as she was having a gangover.
• Please excuse Burma, she has been sick and under the doctor.
• Maryann was absent December 11-16, because she had a fever, sore throat, headache and upset stomach. Her sister was also sick, fever and sore throat, her brother had a low grade fever and ached all over. I wasn't the best either, sore throat and fever. There must be something going around, her father even got hot last night.

Coach

2010-10-27T13:55:00.000-05:00

Thanks to C.J. Cain, Physical Education Teacher at Panther Run Elementary School (Lake Worth, FL) for providing this opinion piece.

“Coach” - one who instructs or trains ; especially : one who instructs players in the fundamentals of a competitive sport and directs team strategy

“Teacher” - one that teaches; especially : one whose occupation is to instruct

I’ve wrestled with my thoughts on being called “Coach” Cain for years. Here in Florida Physical Education teachers are often called “Coach”. I believe that everyone is a teacher to someone. Maybe it’s our children, our neighbors, the students under our supervision; in one way or another we teach others through our actions. I certainly consider myself a teacher and not just a “Coach”.

I look at how Physical Education is widely viewed in schools. We’re widely seen and regarded as “coaches” as Webster defines the word “instructs players in the fundamentals of a competitive sport and directs team strategy”. This is old-school Physical Education. This is not how we should be defined and we should move away from the sports-model of PE.

By allowing ourselves to be called “coaches” are we in a way allowing ourselves to be seen as lesser than what we are? We already have the US Dept. of Education, and state/local school boards of education and school administrators not valuing Physical Education. Our profession as a whole does not have the perception in the public that we wish to or should have. It leads to the questions of “How do we change the way Physical Education teachers are viewed and valued in our country”? “What can we do?”

Many of us out there are doing great things. Many of us within our local schools, local districts, state/national level and in some cases internationally are being recognized for the things we are doing. How do we get more people to pay attention and to learn about these great PE programs that exist? To understand what we do and our importance in schools? How do we move all Physical Education teachers forward?

Many questions crossing my mind lately. I watched a great documentary film over the weekend and thought – wouldn’t it be powerful if there was a documentary film on how childhood obesity is impacting our children. A really personal documentary following children throughout their day, home and school. Feel that would help the public understand just how serious this epidemic is.

Would also be a great film looking at the failing of the American Physical Education system. Show the “roll out the ball” teacher vs. someone like a George Velarde and his amazing program in Sierra Vista, CA. This entire diatribe from me speaks to the need for us to have serious conversations about our roll within education and how we can improve what we do for this generation and future generations of children….

I’m now officially off my soap box. :)

Christopher J. Cain

Panther Run Elementary Physical Education

Lake Worth, FL

Northwest Arkansas Project

2010-10-22T09:43:00.000-05:00

PE4life Arkansas is excited to begin professional development and trainings with 10 schools in NWA! Thanks to the Care Foundation, PE4life has granted 5 previously funded schools and 5 newly funded schools to receive unique professional development and apply for equipment scholarships.

The previously awarded schools are in Springdale, Arkansas – Hellstern Middle School; JO Kelly Middle School; Tyson Middle School: Bentonville, Arkansas – Old High Middle School; and in Siloam Springs, Arkansas – Siloam Springs Middle School.

They will receive a one day PE4life training; two days of Project Adventure and an evening with Jean Blaydes Madigan featuring Action Based Learning. Each of these schools may apply for up to $5,000 in equipment scholarships.

The newly funded schools are in Springdale – Bayarri Elementary; Parson Hills Elementary; Bernice Young Elementary and Central Jr. High: Siloam Springs – Siloam Springs Elementary.

They will receive a two day Intro to PE4life training; two days of SPARK and a day with Jean Blaydes Madigan featuring Action Based Learning. Each of these schools may apply for up to $10,000 in equipment scholarships.

This is the first of a three year project through the Care Foundation that will enhance previously funded schools to continue and develop their programs and start up new programs in schools that show progress. The hope is to grow these programs in this NWA and showcase each of these schools for future trainings.

To learn more about PE4life's efforts in Arkansas visit http://arkansas.pe4life.org.

Standing Up to Sitting Down

2010-10-21T20:37:00.010-05:00

Side note: Our friend Phil Lawler spoke of these work-station treadmills years ago...

Standing Question: Could sitting too long at work be dangerous?
Doctors Warn Sitting Too Long is the New Smoking
By Deborah Roberts and Jessica Hopper

Work can be back-breaking; hours spent hunched over at a computer with all the pressure resting in your neck. But what if you worked standing up?

Those who stand at work say that it helps them stay focused, avoid feeling they need a nap in the afternoon and even helps them shed pounds. Famous figures like Donald Rumsfeld and novelist Philip Roth have done it for years. And now some doctors say that you should do it too.

Marc Hamilton, a physiologist at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana, discovered that when he prevented lab mice from standing up, an enzyme that burns fat gets turned off, which can lead to weight gain.

"This enzyme is virtually shut off within hours of not standing, completely independent of diet, completely independent of weight changes," Hamilton said. "I think sitting is very dangerous."

That research prompted Hamilton to speak out that our culture of sitting is unhealthy.

Hamilton isn't the only doctor standing up to sitting down.

A study published by the American Journal of Epidemiology showed that sitting for long stretches, more than six hours a day, can make someone at least 18 percent more likely to die from diabetes, heart disease and obesity than those sitting less than three hours a day.

Treadmill Desks and Walking Meetings

When ABC News first visited SALO in 2008, the fun-loving employment placement firm was growing as fast as their employees' waistlines.

"There's always an abundance of food," Langer said. "We're a high energy group."

The average SALO employee put on ten pounds their first year in the company. Obesity expert Dr. Jim Levine moved his research lab into the offices of SALO, launching a six-month study to see if a moving office could actually help workers lose weight.

Levine brought in treadmill desks. Walking at around one mile per hour, Folkestad and Langer answer phones, respond to emails and even hold walking meetings.

Dr. Levine said to forget those old desks-- a standing, moving office worker is the employee of the future.

"If we can create a world where offices are doing better and the employees are becoming healthier, we’ve got a golden solution.

Sitting has become the most common human behavior, literally, it outstrips the amount of time we spend sleeping," Hamilton said.

Watch a video segement with Diane Sawyer and read the full article on ABC News here.

Light Board To 'Revolutionize' P.E. Class

2010-10-18T09:36:00.002-05:00

Check out this article from KCCI.com featuring Hanawalt Elementary, a PE4life Model Site, and their new Light Board. Looks fun!

A Des Moines school has just added technology to its physical education classes. They're using a light board to get active at Hanawalt School.

Students are using the first Light Motion Fitness Wall to be installed in an Iowa school.

Hanawalt P.E. teacher John Baker is pumped up because the touchscreen technology is making his students move. The giant light board keeps kids from getting bored during P.E.

"The kids have absolutely been enthralled with it. What it does is helps with the visual tracking and helps with the reading and it also increased hand and eye coordination and reactionary time," said Baker. "This is going to change the culture of physical education."

Click here to read more of this article or to watch a video of the Light Board in action!

To learn more about PE4life's efforts in Iowa, visit www.pe4life.org.

Lynyrd Skynyrd was a PE Teacher!

2010-09-23T12:20:00.008-05:00

Rest in Peace Leonard Skinner!

Tongue-in-cheek inspiration to Lynyrd Skynyrd dies at 77
By Matt Soergel

Leonard Skinner, the no-nonsense, flat-topped basketball coach and gym teacher whose name is forever linked with legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, died in his sleep early Monday morning. He was 77.

Mr. Skinner never asked to become part of rock ’n’ roll lore. He didn’t even like rock ’n’ roll. He was just a by-the-book gym teacher at Robert E. Lee High School, his alma mater, who, in the late 1960s, sent some students to the principal’s office because their hair was too long.

Gene Odom, who worked security for the band and survived the crash of its plane in 1977, said one of the longhairs was Gary Rossington. Rossington was guitarist in a rock band that would later name itself Lynyrd Skynyrd in a smart-aleck tribute to the gym teacher.

During an interview in January 2009, Mr. Skinner said he was just following the rules about hair length. It always bothered him that the legend grew to say he was particularly tough on them or that he’d kicked them out of school.

“It was against the school rules. I don’t particularly like long hair on men, but again, it wasn’t my rule,” he said.

Read full article from the Florida Times Union at at Jacksonville.com.

Photo courtesy of Times-Union

Iowa Schools Battle Childhood Obesity

2010-09-08T10:25:00.014-05:00

September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. This article features how some Iowa Schools are facing this battle.

Physical education programs adapt in the face of increased child obesity
by Patrick Hogan

Sweat formed on the face of Quinten Lamb, 14, as he pedalled a floating bicycle above a grassy landscape, trying to catch a red dragon in the distance.

His pursuit briefly was interrupted by Steve Fish, a physical education instructor at Marion High School, who came by to check on the freshman’s progress on the video game exercise bike.

“Remember, 10 minutes, then get on the treadmill,” Fish said before moving on to another student in late August in the school’s new basement fitness room.

Marion’s new facility of cutting-edge exercise machines is just one example of new approaches local high schools are taking to combat child obesity.

Obesity in children nationwide has risen steadily since the early 1970s for all age groups, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Body mass index tests of students for 2010 found that 32 percent of kindergartners and 37 percent of fifth-graders in the Cedar Rapids school district were overweight or obese, according to district wellness coordinator Grant Schultz.

In Marion, a study school officials did two years ago showed 19 percent of fourth-graders, 59 percent of eighth-graders and 33 percent of high school juniors overweight. The study additionally showed 14 percent of fourth-graders, 28 percent of eighth-graders and 23 percent of high school juniors as being obese.

A fitness report for this year is being prepared.

During his 18 years as a physical educator, Fish has seen obesity become more of an issue with his students, particularly his current 9th grade classes.

“They’re very nice kids, but I think a third of them are at risk from a weight standpoint,” Fish said. “If those were kids at risk for reading and writing, there would be alarms going off.”

Continue Reading full article as featured in the Gazette Online here.

Steve Fish, physical education teacher and Carol M. White PEP Grant Winner in Marion, Iowa will be presenting at the PE4life Resource Conference, October 4-5 in Overland Park, Kansas.

Photo by Liz Martin/The Gazette

ShotSpots- They’re Not Just For Basketball!

2010-08-20T10:45:00.008-05:00

This blog was written by Janice Jodlowski, Catalog Marketing Manager of our newest Preferred Vendor Partner - Palos Sports. Janice is a 16 year veteran in the sports and fitness industry and is responsible for finding new products for the PE market. She also works closely with professionals in the industry to develop activities for the products and integrate them into PE classes. She presents sessions and workshops to school districts and at conferences.

One of the best parts of my job is meeting teachers who are passionate about making P.E. a positive experience for their classes. If there is one nugget of wisdom I’ve learned in working with those Physical Education teachers for 16 years, it’s this: “Do not assume a PE teacher will use a product for its intended purpose. “

Case in point: ShotSpots™. They consist of a set of seven 18” diameter PVC/vinyl, non-skid floor mats that are double sided with numbers and point values. Designed to sharpen shooting skills, players would use these spots to mark shooting stations. Flip the spots on one side for numbers to mark positions or flip them over to create point values for each shot made from the spot’s location.

The PVC/vinyl material they are made from is very similar to the products you use to line cabinets. The packaging states you can use the ShotSpots™ indoors or out. . Indoor- absolutely! On a wood or tile floor the spots do not slip out from under foot. Outdoors- use caution on blacktop. In hot weather they can stick a little and will get dirty rather quickly. On concrete surfaces- they work well and it takes a little longer for them to get dirty. It is recommended to sweep the play area first.

Included in the packaging are 8 game ideas- 4 each for number and point games. They include a version of Around the World, Line ‘Em Up, 7 Shot Add ‘Em Up, Twenty One and a 2 Minute Shootout using the included digital timer.

By design, ShotSpots™ seem pretty straight forward in concept. However, get them in the hands of a creative PE teacher and they take on a life of their own. Here are some activities and ideas that teachers have shared with me recently:

Volleyball:
• Use the point value side of the spots and place on the reception side of a volleyball court. Servers must aim at the spots to receive the point values.
• Use the number side of the spots and place on the reception side of a volleyball court. Servers must aim at the spots and hit all spots 1 thru 7. Variation for higher skill levels: if they miss a spot, they must start over.

Bowling:
• Use the number side of the spots and spread out against the wall for bowling lanes. Beginner bowlers aim to roll the ball over the spot. As skill levels increase, flip spots over and use point values. As skill levels further increase, add bowling pins.

Floor Hockey:
• Use point or number sides of spots to create shooting stations for floor hockey. Arrange class into teams and play for points or use as a timed shooting event. Make sure to use a hockey ball or similar to roll over the spot.

Nutrition:
• Use the point side of the spots to represent daily portions from each food group. Create a relay using food cards for players to learn portions and food groups.

Granted, most of these ideas are simply using the spots for their numbers or point values, however, using the spots to represent daily portion amounts for food groups is pretty clever. It’s this creative mentality that continues to drive Physical Education teachers to create quality lessons filled with academic content that makes P.E. a positive experience for their students.

That’s just the beginning of the possibilities for the ShotSpots™ as they’ve only been on the market since November 2009. The question is, what would you use them for?

ShotSpots™ are available exclusively at Palos Sports. Visit www.palossports.com or call 1-800-233-5484 for more information.

Critical Information for Staying Hydrated

2010-08-13T12:22:00.020-05:00

Guest Blogger: Rhonda Fincher of the Kendrick Fincher Hydration Foundation

Fifteen years ago I learned that heat illness can kill and that proper hydration is one way to prevent heat illness. I also learned that it is necessary to TEACH proper hydration. It was 15 years ago at this time that my son Kendrick was in Children’s Hospital in Little Rock. Our healthy 13-year-old son had gone to his first day of football practice on a hot Arkansas day and suffered heat stroke. I watched and participated in the fight for his survival, but in the end he died 18 days later from multi-system organ failure as a result of heat stroke.

There was a lot I didn’t know 15 years ago that I know now. Let me share some of these with you:

Heat stroke can kill a healthy 13-year-old boy.
An athlete and their parents need to make sure they are ready for practices and games; it is not only the coaches’ responsibility.
Football practice for 8th grade is not like taking your child to community recreational sports practice.
Most people do not recognize the importance of proper hydration throughout their daily lives.
Coaches want winning teams and they do what they need to do to ensure the athlete is ready for games. It can be a tough and grueling practice, but everyone wants their team to win, right? Even parents.
The Kendrick Fincher Hydration Foundation would directly educate over 200,000 children and athletes about the importance of proper hydration and heat illness prevention.
I would have the resolve to do for 15 years what I wish would have been done before Kendrick died.
Athletes still die from heat stroke.
I would be sitting in an office adorned with t-shirts from 12 youth runs in memory of my son.
I would be lugging tents and misting units and serving ice water across Northwest Arkansas in an effort to keep the community cool.
Kendrick’s name would be on the NFL website.
Kendrick’s name would be in the US Congressional record.
If you Google “Kendrick Fincher” there are pages and pages of results.

Elementary school is a critical time to TEACH children the importance of proper hydration. With the continual media messages that beverage choices should be carbonated, sparkling, flavored, caffeinated, etc., it is important that we demonstrate healthy drink choices and teach children the importance of water to their health. There is also a lot of information I have gained that I have been able to share with educators and coaches. Much of what teachers and coaches are trained in college to do for their job has to do with education and techniques.

Here are some suggestions and resources for physical educators to encourage this healthy lifestyle in the students and teachers they work with:

- Use our “beehydrated” pamphlet that talks about basic hydration information to teach a unit in hydration.

- For athletes, our “Beat the Heat” pamphlet provides a great resource.

- Encourage the teachers to have the children bring in a water bottle and keep on their desk to hydrate throughout the day. It is to their benefit as just a 1% dehydration level of thirst, results in a 10% reduction in the child’s ability to concentrate.

- In high school levels, talk to the principal or superintendent about allowing and encouraging the students to be drinking water throughout the day. Many children are involved in after school sports and unless they are hydrating throughout the day their performance and their safety will be compromised.

- Water fountains, in addition to providing a source of germs, only result in a 1-3 ounce drink of water. Teachers can allow students time to fill up their water bottles in the morning and then use their water fountain trip for a bathroom break.

Properly hydrated children are healthier children! Water affects all aspects of life and what better way to ensure children are in school and learning to their full capacity: TEACH the importance of proper hydration for their body!

For more information and resources, contact Rhonda or visit the Kendrick Fincher Hydration Foundation website.

The Power of PEP

2010-08-11T14:58:00.008-05:00

This article is a blast from the past, but it so perfectly highlights the Power of the PEP Grant. Learn how the PE4life Academy Training Center in Titusville, PA came to be and how others have put their funding to good use...

Fitness Assessment
The popular PEP grant program has allowed hundreds of school districts to re-energize P.E. programs with new equipment and specialized training.

By Michael Popke, January 2008

Tim McCord was bored. The year was 1999, and after two decades as a physical education teacher at Titusville (Pa.) Middle School — where classes revolved around a traditional curriculum of football in the fall, basketball in the winter, and softball and track and field in the spring — he was looking for a challenge, something to re-energize his department, his students and himself.

"I'd been doing the same things for about 20 years at that time, and I could have continued to do them standing on my head," says McCord, now chair of the physical education department for the Titusville Area School District. "I thought, 'Is it really our job to teach these kids sports skills? Or is it our job to teach them how to live healthy lives?' "

To find the answer, McCord requested permission from the district's superintendent to take a field trip to Naperville, Ill., where students at Central High School were among the first in the country to participate in physical education classes that actually improved more than their ball-handling skills. There, he saw instructors incorporating high-tech fitness equipment and detailed health-risk assessments into everyday P.E. classes.

No longer bored, McCord returned to Titusville — a small and economically stressed community in which half of all students at the time were eligible for free or reduced school-lunch programs — and shared his findings with the school board. The next thing he knew, McCord was handed a check for $30,000 (10 times the district's entire physical education budget that year) to revamp the middle school's P.E. department with cardiovascular-fitness and strength-training equipment, along with plenty of heart-rate monitors. With the following year came another check, this one for $40,000 to replicate the middle school's program at Titusville High School. One year later, the district gave McCord an additional $10,000 to purchase fitness-assessment machines for both schools.

Then, in 2003, the district was awarded $342,000 from the federal government in the form of a Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) grant, which funded repairs and upgrades to existing equipment, added climbing or traversing walls at every school in the district, and expanded overall P.E. programming. Then came the clincher: The high school's principal rearranged for the daily schedule to expand from eight classes to nine, shifting periods from 43 minutes to 40 and making room for daily P.E. sessions.

"All I did was explain to our school board that our physical education program was going nowhere," McCord says. "Now I don't think our kids understand how good they have it."

Continue to read the rest of the article...

Learn more about visiting a PE4life Academy Training Center.

How Do You Keep Students Active During PE?

2010-08-04T11:35:00.008-05:00

Obesity Rates Keep Rising, Troubling Health Officials - this article was published in The New York Times today. It reports, not surprisingly, that obesity rates continue to be on the rise.

One statement that did stand out in the article: "Children do not get enough exercise during the school day; Dr. Frieden noted that even in gym classes, students are active for only about a third of the time."

We know this is true in many circumstances, but we've also witnessed some awesome PE programs that we know keep students active for more than a third of the time. If you have one of these programs, what's your secret?

1. How do you keep your students' heart rates up during class? Small-sided games? Exergaming?

2. Do you collect data to prove your students are active for longer than a third of the time? If so, how? Heart Rate Monitors?

3. What advice can you give other physical educators to increase activity time in PE?

Leave your answers in the comments below!

Madison County Schools: PEP Grant Hopeful

2010-07-30T12:42:00.003-05:00

Meet Madison County School District - second year PEP Grant hopeful. We're pretty confident this school will be successful with their health and wellness program - with or without the PEP Grant!

Good luck Madison County Schools!

County schools seeking physical education grant

RICHMOND — Madison County Schools has applied for a grant that would provide all 17 schools the opportunity to participate in PE4Life.

The 2010 PEP Grant is part of the Carol M. White Physical Education Program and will award grants between $100,000 to $750,000, with the average grant being $427,000, according to the PE4Life website.

Grant winners are expected to be announced in September.

“We had a program last year at Shannon Johnson Elementary School and B. Michael Caudill Middle School, where we put in fitness labs, action based learning labs and we did lots of things to increase physical activity and nutrition,” said Kathy Todd, who teaches physical education at Shannon Johnson and is a member of the district’s coordinated school health advisory council.

“If we get the grant, we will be able to implement new physical education curriculums in all the schools,” she said, adding that Farristown Middle School, which is scheduled to open in Berea in the fall of 2011, also would be equipped with PE4Life.

PE4life is a national non-profit organization dedicated to developing a country of active and healthy children and youth by increasing access to quality physical education, according to its website.

To read this story in full, visit The Richmond Register.

YES, YOU CAN come to the PE4life Resource Conference!

2010-07-29T10:34:00.016-05:00

Want to attend the PE4life Resource Conference?

Not enough money in your school budget?

When approaching a potential sponsor, whether in writing, over the phone or in person – use the following information to state your best case for needing support and how you plan to use their support to make a difference.

What Attendees Receive:
Attendees of the PE4life Resource Conference will receive two full days of professional development and learning opportunities from nationally-renowned industry leaders who get programmatic results. Speakers at the PE4life Resource Conference have quality, cutting edge programs who see positive impacts in students’ physical health and improvements in student learning. Participants at PE4life events are forward thinking and ready to embrace a new way of teaching physical education. This event is a networking and brainstorming opportunity for like-minded professionals. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with equipment and program vendors who offer quality, innovative and technologically advanced equipment at discounted prices for event participants.

A list of breakout sessions can be found here. Consider mentioning those that may appeal to a particular funder.

Be sure to alert your local media/newspaper of the champion sponsor and their commitment to bettering your program.
Invite the Sponsor to see your program in action upon returning from the event (take pictures and inform the media)!
Share your success story with us so we can give them a shout out on our website, blog or through Social Media!

Funding Needed:
Consider the cost of registration fees, travel (airline, local transportation, hotel, meals) and substitute teacher fees.

Community members / Businesses / Large employers (especially those whose employees’ children attend your school)
Local Hospitals
Fitness Centers
Local Insurance Agencies
School Vendors for food, sports equipment, etc.
Sporting Good Stores
Civic Organizations
Alumni or Booster Groups
Grocery Stores
Foundations – local or regional business or family foundations

** Don’t forget: Your attendance at the PE4life Resource Conference can be covered in full by PEP Grant funds! **

Additional details to enhance your proposal:

What are you hoping to accomplish by attending the PE4life Resource Conference?
What do you plan to do with the information you receive at the Resource Conference?
Have you attended a PE4life event before? If so, what did you take away from it?

Once you’ve secured your funding, don’t forget these important follow up steps!

Register for the event!
Alert your local media and tell them who are Champions for physical education!
Share your success with us! We want to know how you did it and your lessons learned.)
Tell us who is supporting physical education in your area. We want to give them a shout out!

Good luck! We hope to see you in October!

PE4life Resource Conference
October 4-5, 2010
Overland Park, Kansas

Pressure to Perform Academically Results in PE Cuts in MN

2010-07-29T10:30:00.006-05:00

Here's an excellent article on an issue that is very familiar to us all - pressure for students to perform academically resulting in less time and money for PE. Although this article is specific to Minnesota school districts, it's occurring all across the country.

Increased pressure to perform on academic tests is forcing state schools to cut physical education classes

WASHINGTON — After multiple layoffs, 30-year-old physical education teacher Ryan Weber has had a front-row seat in watching the decline of physical education in Minnesota schools.

Weber is out of work again as of Thursday after finishing a short-term stint in an Anoka summer program for special needs students

“Only 10 of the 25 people I graduated from college in physical education with are doing anything related to their degree because they can’t find jobs, kept getting cut and just can’t do it anymore,” Weber said.

Education providers are under increasing pressure to measure up on standardized tests, which means that many schools are trading school day hours for academics over physical education to ensure they will meet requirements to lock in funding.

It’s a trend that experts say threatens to undermine first lady Michelle Obama’s central initiative: a campaign aimed at improving the health of America’s youth, in part by expanding physical education and extracurricular activities.

As a result of repeated cuts in physical education across the state, teachers like Weber are looking for work while the waistlines of Minnesota students only get bigger.

“Over the last 10 years, schools have been under intense academic pressure to add more time in their school day for reading and math, and there is only so much time in the school day; time is finite,” said Charlie Kyte, executive director of Minnesota Association of School Administrators. “Physical education is what has been squeezed.”

Read the full story on the MinnPost website.

RECAP: First Lady's Let's Move! Web Chat

2010-07-13T10:00:00.006-05:00

The First Lady held the first ever web chat to discuss the Let's Move! campaign this morning. The public was invited to ask the First Lady questions regarding her initiative and the childhood obesity epidemic via Facebook.

During the chat, we heard some great ideas and tough questions posted on Facebook from some of our physical education experts. Now, we want to know what you think! Do you agree with what was said from these physical education experts? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

How will physical education be promoted and advanced in the schools. All of our kids attend school so this is the most comprehensive opportunity to address the needs of all children with quality, age appropriate physical activity/physical education.

Quality physical education can be THE VEHICLE to educate all kids!

We HAVE to change the mindset...define QUALITY physical education.

Questions about Physical Education are not Sports or extra curricula! This is part of the issue. Play is fun and great but don’t we really need physical education also? Do we need to do more to educate folks on the difference?

I wish we could have the opportunity to educate the First Lady on QUALITY physical education. PLAY is not physical education. Physical Education is not all games.

Seems lets move is supporting more physical activity which is awesome! But I am not hearing much about true physical education. NASPE can certainly help clarify the difference.

While the intent here is positive, if the administration does not know the difference between physical activity and physical education, if they don't know what constitutes quality, 21st century physical education, if they don't understand the EDUCATION portion of physical education, the outlook for this program isn't very positive.

She did not mention policy to increase PE time, but focused on integration of physical activity. Integration of PA is important but not at the expense of a quality physical education class.

The First Lady does not know what Quality Physical Education is & does not know the differences between Physical Education & Physical Activity. Kickball and duck, duck, goose are NOT examples of Physical Education.

As long as the jobs of teachers and administrators is made dependent on test scores, physical education will be the lowest priority. The research relating physical exercise/education to academic success is overwhelming. Have you or the President or Sec. Duncan read Dr. John Ratey (SPARK) or Dr. Carla Hannaford (Smart Moves) or Dr. John Medina (Brain Rules) or any of the other books that provides us the research.

Physical Educators would like to be a part of this initiative. We would like to offer our advice and support. Please start including us and recognizing the important role we play in schools.

If you don't involve physical education and physical educators in this battle you cannot win. We are the ones who work with children on a regular basis. We are the ones who educate children so they understand life long active life styles.

The terms “physical activity” and “physical education” are often used interchangeably. However, they differ in important ways. Understanding the difference between the two is critical to understanding why both contribute to the development of healthy, active children. Think of this: Physical Activity is a behavior. Physical Education is a core subject area with a curriculum that includes physical activity.

We truly appreciate the First Lady's move to take on the fight against nationwide overweight/obesity, but the process is poorly constructed and poorly framed, lacks inclusion and I have doubts that it will ever be as successful as it could and should be.
I would not expect her to know about QPE; that is not her passion. Professionals in the field must continue to advocate for and educate about QPE, so all people can begin to feel our passion. Let's take the first lady's agenda and positively use it to our advantage.

PEP Grant Lesson Learned

2010-07-12T13:23:00.007-05:00

While we love to share success stories, we know that unfortunately sometimes things are best learned by mistakes. Here is an example of a school district in Wisconsin who misused their PEP funds. What is great about this story is how they right their wrong and share the steps they should have taken.

Nekoosa School District misused funds to buy soccer field

NEKOOSA -- The Nekoosa School District will pay about $49,000 for a soccer field built in 2008, after school officials confirmed the district used federal grant dollars without following the guidelines.

In 2007, the U.S. Department of Education awarded the district a Carol M. White Physical Education Program grant of nearly $350,000 to improve local programming. The three-year matching federal grant helps districts purchase equipment and pay for staff support and training to initiate, expand and improve physical education programs, according to the department.

A June 2009 Nekoosa School District audit by Wipfli's Rhinelander accounting office found district employees were not adequately tracking and managing grant funds.

Read full story on the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune website here.

What's the first "bold action" Congress should take in solving the childhood obesity epidemic?

2010-07-08T15:55:00.001-05:00

James S. Marks, senior vice president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, recently wrote a powerful article titled "We Need Bold Action on Childhood Obesity" in the Huffington Post. In the article, he highlights some statistics that have made headlines lately. You've probably heard or seen a few of them at some point, but seeing the facts presented together is astonishing:

Adult obesity rates rose in 28 states over the past year and declined only in the District of Columbia.
Nearly one-third of children are obese or overweight, placing them at higher risk for diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and a host of other serious chronic illnesses.
84% of Americans believes the childhood obesity epidemic is a serious problem -- Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and Tea Party supporters agree.
56% believe we should launch a comprehensive national program to prevent childhood obesity, even if we have to invest billions of dollars now to prevent hundreds of billions in costs later.

As physical educators or advocates of quality physical education, you guys are the ones that see first-hand the toll childhood obesity is having on our children. So, we want your input on a few questions:

1. If the study is right and 85% of Americans believe childhood obesity is a serious problem, then what can we do, as individuals, to help solve this crisis?

2. Marks suggests strengthening the National School Lunch Program as the first "bold step" Congress should take in combating the childhood obesity epidemic. What do you recommend as the first "bold step?"

PEP Grant Success Story: Implementing Exergaming

2010-06-28T15:18:00.015-05:00

With 18+ years as a physical education teacher and 5+ years as a grant facilitator, Marvin Christley is leading the way to keeping kids active, healthy and fit by introducing a new PE concept called Exergaming. New Haven (CT) Public School’s PE department received approximately 1.5 million dollars over three years from the Carol M. White PEP Grant, to help aid in reducing childhood obesity by increasing movement time. Below is Marvin’s new concept and a interview on his mission to keeping kids in Connecticut healthy and active while attending school.

Concept:
I came up the concept for the grant when I first saw this type of equipment at a National convention. Being a gamer myself, I thought this would be a great way to motivate the students who are inactive to exercise. Two of the biggest markets are Wellness and Videogames. The problem today is that with video games, students are becoming less active. In order to combat the increase in childhood obesity I thought Exergaming. Exergaming combines video games with exercise. This won’t solve the problem but it will bridge the gap. The Wii first took off with this type of technology, and now more and more companies are jumping on board.

Overview:

I created a program to reduce childhood obesity called T.H.A.N.C.S. THANCS stands for Teaching Health and Nutrition Choices to Students. This program was made possible because a very generous PEP grant. The New Haven PE department received about 1.5 million dollars over three years, to help aid in reducing childhood obesity by increasing movement time. Currently we have about 15 elementary – middle schools, up and running with more to come.

The program uses innovative technology to better assess our students and to motivate them to exercise. Some of the assessment technologies that are being utilized are: Heart rate monitors, TriFit machine, Pedometers and handheld palm pilots. Exergaming equipment was also purchased through the grant which includes: Dance, Dance Revolution, Lightspace Play Floor, Gamebikes, Nintendo Wii’s, and Xavix’s. This year we also purchased a cross curricular exercise bike called “The NeuroActive BrainBike by Motion Fitness”. This piece allows you to exercise while playing brain games that include math, memory and other cognitive thinking games. The games are a lot like the questions students would see on the Connecticut Mastery Tests. There has not been one principal who this doesn’t think this is the best piece of exercise equipment. We have also created journals in order for students to track of their own fitness.

Tell us about how you obtained this grant? What is the purpose of it?

MC: My supervisor asked me to facilitate a grant we had already acquired. It was a small grant and only included a couple of schools. The vendor and I decided that if I spent some money on them they would assist with the writing a larger grant. The purpose of this grant was to use technology to better assess our students fitness levels. In addition, I had an idea to use the exercise gaming technology to motivate students to be more active. The goal is to put this type of technology in our elementary and middle schools.

When is this initiative being launched?

MC: I have already began this initiative and I am now in the second year of my three year grant.

When did you first hear about Exergaming and why did you choose to implement the products in your school district?

MC: I first learned about Exergaming at a national conference. I thought it would be great in my school district because the majority of our students are not motivated to be active. Students would always talk about various video games and were not physical active. I thought this would be a great way to bridge the game between video games and inactivity.

What products did you get and how come you chose those particular items?

MC: Some of the items that all of the schools received were Gamebikes, Dance Dance Revolution, and Xavix. Some schools received Expresso bikes, NeuroActive BrainBikes, iJoy Boards and Wiis. A couple of larger items were purchased to show the future of Exergaming. These items are Dogfight and Lightspace play. The reason I selected these items is because they seemed to be the most fun and give the students a maximum workout.

How many Schools are benefiting from your accomplishments?

MC: Currently I have been able to outfit fifteen schools with exergaming equipment. We are planning to add several more schools in the future. Phase one is the impact the elementary and middle schools and phase two is to create the same type of programs in the high schools.

What do you see as the benefits of Exergaming for your students?

MC: The main benefit of Exergaming is the sustained level of moderate to vigorous physical activity. To give you an example, one school had a class of 40 plus kids that refused to do anything aerobic in physical education class. After the introduction to exergaming equipment, you have to beg them to stop. It is clearly a way for kids to have more fun while exercising.

Special thanks to Exergame Fitness for sharing this article. The full article, including information on Exergame Fitness, can be found here.

Marvin Christley and representatives from New Haven Public Schools participated in a PE4life workshop.

New Rage: The Walking School Bus

2010-06-27T16:08:00.015-05:00

Schools across the country are embracing the Walking School Bus. This program, led by parents, high school students and volunteers, help to provide children a safe and fun way to get to school. In times when bus programs are discontinued due to budget cuts, the ever-increasing gas prices, and of course the rise in childhood obesity statistics - this program offers a solution to many of the challenges schools face today.

Here's how it works: In neighborhoods surrounding schools, a group of volunteers walk along a pre-determined route stopping at various points to "pick up" children along the way. The group continues to walk until they reach school.

According to WalkingSchoolBus.org: a walking school bus is a group of children walking to school with one or more adults. If that sounds simple, it is, and that’s part of the beauty of the walking school bus. It can be as informal as two families taking turns walking their children to school to as structured as a route with meeting points, a timetable and a regularly rotated schedule of trained volunteers.

Some Benefits:
• Increases daily physical activity for children and adults in the neighborhood
• Reduces auto traffic in and around the neighborhood and school
• Reduces the costs of transportation
• Reduces the amount of air polution caused from busses
• Ensures the saftey of children walking to school as a group as opposed to alone
• Increases community cohesion by helping neighbors get to know one another

While the Walking School Bus should not be a replacement for PE class, it is a way to increase the amount of activity children receive in a day.

Learn more about the Walking School Bus (including a step-by-step implementation guide) and communities who implement it:
Walking School Bus.org
Safe Routes to School: Online Guide
Missouri takes on childhood obesity one step at a time
Springfield (MO) Elementary Schools and Ozark YMCA

Share

Opinion Piece: The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition

2010-06-25T09:16:00.006-05:00

Our Physical Education friends have a lot of different opinions and while we may or may not agree with all of them, we definitely value their input and want them to keep on talkin’!

Check out what C.J. Cain, Physical Educator from Panther Run Elementary in Lake Worth, FL has to say about the new committee for the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. Read the blog and let us know what you think in the comments below.

***Please note that the views stated are not necessarily a reflection of PE4life's beliefs, but rather an opportunity to open the doors to discussion.***

Author: C.J. Cain

Yesterday the First Lady launched the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. Read the official press release here.

Looking at the council members it appears not one person has experience as a Physical Educator. This disappoints me. This looks more like a PR gimmick than an actual agent of change.

Why not seek out the best of the best from the world of Physical Education for their insight? Why not include like Dr. Ratey and Dr. Medina who have studied the effects of exercise on the brain for their insight? Why not include Dr. David Katz for his insight into child nutrition?

Nothing personal, but I'd rather lean on the knowledge and minds of people like Dr. Robert Pangrazi and the other great Physical Educators of our time on matters concerning Physical Activity, Sports, and Fitness than Carl Edwards who drives a race car for a living. While I respect the accomplishments of the individuals appointed to this Council it is my opinion that they are not the right people for this very important job.

We wouldn't ask Homer Simpson for advice after a power plant accident. Why are we not including Physical Educators on these councils? Why is Physical Education and the importance of the Physical Educator not being promoted more through the "Let's Move" initiative?

We need to stop pretending that having a bunch of professional athletes lending their name to support obesity initiatives is going to make more of difference than the people who come in contact children everyday - parents, teachers (especially) Physical Educators), and the members of their community. That's where it starts. That's where it happens. That's where the support needs to be. That's who we need to be listening to.

With that being said, I would be remised if I didn't commend Annika Sorenstam for her commitment to fighting childhood obesity. I have tremendous respect for Annika. She's donating her time and money to passionately fight childhood obesity. Her example is one professional athletes should follow. Annika is not simply lending her name to PR council's like Obama announced yesterday. She is out making a difference and is to be commended for all that she does for children and families.

In closing, it's my opinion that a Physical Education summit is needed. It's time for the leaders from within Physical Education to come together to discuss Physical Education as it is today & put an actionable plan together to move Physical Education forward. Government once again has made it clear that it values Public Relations more than solutions as it relates to fighting Childhood Obesity. I'm certain if you asked the athletes appointed to this council that many of them would thank a Physical Educator for helping them along the way.

I encourage every Physical Educator to write a letter to Shellie Pfohl, the Executive Director of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition and protest the failure to include a Physical Educator on the newly formed President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition.

President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition:
Attn: Shellie Pfohl
1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 560
Rockville, MD 20852
240-276-9567
240-276-9860 Fax

Also send a copy of your letter to the President & First Lady:
The White House
Attn: President Barack & First Lady Michelle Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

C.J. Cain
Share

Resource Conference - PEP Grant Related Topics Announced

2010-06-24T09:11:00.005-05:00

The PE4life Resource Conference (formerly known as the PEP Grant Resource Conference) is an annual event that highlights current and past PEP Grant winners – their successes AND lessons learned. Don’t miss this opportunity to network and learn from those who have been there and done that. This event is designed to not only help you navigate your way through this incredible PEP opportunity, but to provide information to help spend your money well, get real results AND sustain your program after PEP funding concludes.

Check out these PEP-related Breakout Sessions (with more in the works!):

PEP Grant: Catalyst for Change - This session will provide first-hand experience with overseeing a 3 year 1.1 million dollar PEP Grant in Millcreek Township School District, Erie, Pennsylvania. In order for you to make most of your funding, this program will discuss areas the PEP Grant can influence. These areas include staff preparation, handling vendors, purchasing equipment, developing curriculum, utilizing technology, assessment, data collection, staff wellness, and advocacy for physical education programs. When you leave this session you would have a better understanding on how to utilize your funds to their fullest.

Regular Joes: A PEP Success Story - Intimidated by the PEP process? A couple of “Regular Joes” from Marion (IA) Independent School District decided to tackle the PEP Grant. Spending most their time in survival mode, they stumbled upon the Carol M. White PEP Grant and asked themselves “Why not us?” After an initial unsuccessful attempt, they applied again in 2008 and won! Listen as these “Regular Joes” discuss their successes and barriers as they implement their PEP funds and develop a program inspired by the PE4life model that is “Focused on Fitness.” Their session includes discussion on staff professional development, development of student’s personal fitness plans, efforts to change school policy, school-community collaboration and overcoming obstacles.

Grants: How, What, Where, Who Qualifies, and How to Write - Want to write a grant for your physical education program and don’t know where to start? Listen as a successful grant writer (grants including Carol M. White PEP Grant and the No Child Left Inside Grant) discusses key components of grant writing: 1.) grant writing specific to physical education/health/recreation, and 2.) the process of searching for grants applicable to physical education/health/recreation. This informative and interactive session will give you a better understanding of grant writing.

A plethora of additional PEP Grant winners will be on hand presenting on these topics:

Creating a Blueprint for Systemic, Sustainable Change
Show-Me the Results: A System for Data-Management and Accountability
Now That’s Using Your Noodle
Raising the Bar: “Be the change you want to see”
Creating a Climate for Success – Elementary Focus
Additional sessions listed here.

The PE4life Resource Conference is October 4-5, 2010 in Overland Park, KS.

IMPORTANT!! Be sure to include your attendance to the PE4life Resource Conference in your PEP budget. For help calculating the cost for event attendance and travel, and to learn more about the event, go here.

PEP Grant Success Story: Tonganoxie (KS) School District

2010-06-21T08:53:00.006-05:00

We love success stories! Here is one from a PE4life trained school:

Tonganoxie (KS) School District to receive second year of PEP grant.

The Tonganoxie School District will be installing climbing walls at all of its schools thanks to PEP grant funding.

Tonya Phillips, Physical Education teacher, reported that an additional climbing wall would be installed in the coming weeks at Tonganoxie Elementary School, as well as walls at the middle school and high school. The district qualified for the first year of the Carol M. White PEP Grant for the 2009-10 school year. Phillips said the district learned earlier this year that progress toward goals was achieved in the first year of the grant, which qualified the district for grant money in 2010-11 as well.

The district was awarded $290,730 in the first year. Highlights of the first year were each building having a fully equipped fitness room, increased staff, increased class offerings, updated curriculum and equipment and appropriate/applicable professional development. The district also made marked improvement toward all goals and objectives.

Plans for the second year of the grant in which the district will receive $216,227 call for a challenge course at Tonganoxie High School, HOPSports at the middle school, sports walls at the elementary school and all physical education teachers being certified instructors in CPR, first aid and AED, as well as climbing and ropes courses. HOPSports is an interactive training system.

“We are very fortunate to have this grant,” superintendent Kyle Hayden said. “It’s one of the most state-of-the-art programs in Kansas and probably a four-state area. It’s allowing us to do things we had never thought we could imagine.”

Representatives from the Tonganoxie School District have attended a workshop at a PE4life Academy Training Center, as well as attended the PE4life Resource Conference.

To learn more about the Carol M. PEP Grant and how you can apply, go here.

Ready... Set... GO!

2010-06-18T14:54:00.000-05:00

The day has arrived! Another Carol M. White PEP Grant competition has opened. We know the process can be overwhelming and we want to do anything we can to make it a little easier, so we've put together some of the need-to-knows. Please note, these suggestions and tips are general and don't necessarily reflect new requirements for the 2010 PEP Grant. For a complete list of this year's requirements, please refer to the federal register, published today.

What is the PEP Grant?

According to the Department of Education the purpose of the Carol M. White Physical Education Program is to provide funds to local educational agencies and community-based organizations (including faith-based organizations) to initiate, expand, and improve physical education programs (including after school programs) for students in one or more grades from kindergarten through 12 in order to make progress toward meeting State standards for physical education by providing funds for equipment, support, and the training and education of teachers and staff.

In order to receive funding, each applicant must design and implement a program that clearly aligns to state standards for physical education and provides for one or more of the following elements:

Fitness education and assessment to help students understand, improve or maintain physical well-being
Instruction in motor skills and physical activities designed to enhance the physical, mental, or social or emotional development;
Development of, and instruction in, cognitive concepts about motor skills and physical fitness that support healthy lifestyles;
Opportunities to develop positive social and cooperative skills through physical activity participation;
Instruction in healthy eating habits and good nutrition; and
Opportunities for professional development for physical education teachers to stay abreast of current research, issues, and trends in physical education.

Please note: although PE4life helped to write the initial bill that became the PEP Grant, the grant is awarded through the Department of Education, NOT PE4life.

Still interested? Follow these steps!

1. Develop Your PEP Team
2. Gather the Data
3. Design a Program
4. Create a Budget
5. Other Helpful Hints

1. Develop Your PEP Team - We've said it before and we'll say it again - you have to have support to be successful in your program. If you've been planning on applying for awhile or if you've applied in the past, hopefully you've already got a rockstar PEP team together. If not, well, here are some people you'll want on your team (the old cliche rings true in this case - the more the merrier):

• Program manager (the leader of the initiative
within your school or district)
• Financial officer
• Principal
• Superintendent
• Cross-disciplinary staff
• Dietitian/school lunch program
• School nurse(s)
• Special education staff
• PE staff
• Other stakeholders
• Parent(s)
• Community or business leader(s)
• School board member(s)
• Other teachers
• Vendors
• University faculty
• Local hospital/medical staff
• Grant writer

2. Gather the Data - In addition to the required documentation of the application, here are some valuable data to include. The more specific your data is to your target population, the better:

District demographics (check your area profile at www.census.gov):
• Race
• Gender mix
• Economic indicators
• Average household income
• Number of students who qualify for free/reduced lunch
• Special needs populations
• Number of students who will be impacted by your PEP program and/or number of students enrolled by age group and by grade

Existing physical fitness data (this can come from one or more of the following sources):
• President’s Physical Fitness Test
• FitnessGram
• Other fitness test data
• Existing test data showing district achievement as compared
with state PE/health standards (check your state’s department
of education for statistics)
• Existing data showing rates of obesity and diabetes
in your area (information may be available from your local
health department or municipal government)

3. You’ll need to craft a proposed program that will meet the objectives of the PEP Grant program. Your proposal must address the following issues (be specific):
• Determine the number of minutes of moderate or vigorous
physical activity that students engage in daily
• Determine comprehensive student progress toward meeting
state PE/health standards
• Describe professional development for PE/health staff
• Describe your program activities with minimal attention to
equipment utilization and purchases
• Describe how your program uses an evidence-based
curriculum
• Develop a plan to capture program data and to evaluate
the data

4. Create a Budget - You will need an itemized budget. Be as specific as you possibly can.

5. Other tips:

Gain the support and commitment from school administration and the rest of the PEP team first. You will need a commitment from the stakeholders before you begin writing your proposal. No one wants to complete a first draft and then discover one of the school principals is not interested in allowing more time for PE or is opposed to bringing in new equipment. By gaining early support and keeping your team in the loop as you create a draft and a budget, you can avoid last-minute problems.
Use the Frequently Asked Questions section. This part of the application contains helpful information about submission, eligibility, budget allowances, etc. School districts who read the FAQ section in 2006 learned that schools could not charge students an activity fee — important information to know before you even begin your narrative and budget. You may want to read this section first.
Allow yourself plenty of time to meet the deadline. A superintendent’s signature is required as are other forms and attachments. In 2006, grants were submitted electronically through e-grants.ed.gov. Over the next few years, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) will be transitioning its discretionary grants application process to use the federal government-wide www.grants.gov website. During this transition, a particular discretionary application package and the location for submitting it could appear at any one of several locations. You may need to register in order to submit.

This information was taken from the PE4life booklet called "So... You Want to Apply for a PEP Grant." Click here to download a pdf of the booklet or for a pretty version, purchase the booklet for $3 from our Pro Shop.

Need a PEP talk? Read these testimonials:

Obviously it is the ideal scenario to have government money to do good things for the wellness of our students. We would not do this without the money. It is that simple. We could not afford to. —James Walsh, Aliquippa, PA
Through the evaluation conducted by the University of Miami, we have seen significant changes in student fitness levels, changes in the amount of time students are physically active, changes in attitudes (through both a written assessment and focus groups), changes in weight loss and weight gain (for those who wanted to add muscle mass), and overall nutrition awareness. —Dr. Jayne Greenberg, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
Receiving federal funding through the PEP grant has made all the difference in the world to the quality of physical education programs that we were able to deliver. In financially strapped times when the emphasis is on reading and mathematics, little funding was available to buy anything but the basic bats and balls for physical education. —Dr. Jayne Greenberg, Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL
We now have a physical education curriculum in progress, we can assess student performance in PE, and we can improve overall student mental and physical performances throughout the school. Additionally, we are working to increase physical education time in grades K-8 and begin a program in grades 9-12. We are changing students’ schedules to accommodate this increase in PE time. We have made students aware of their own wellness and have defined fitness at a new level for everyone. We have implemented more quality activities for PE participation using up-to-date technology, such as heart rate monitors and pedometers. —Misti Mitchell-Bain, Comanche, OK
It is difficult to put into words the impact this funding has had on our community. It has brought together educators and health experts for a common mission: to help prevent childhood obesity and improve the health of the children we serve. The funds have provided our physical education teachers the opportunity to learn from experts in the field of physical education and observe model classes being taught. The funds have given students equipment,
which also serve as motivational tools, to use in order for them to take charge of their own well-being. —Sheila Ochowicz, Redwood City, CA

For more information, check out these resources:

To help us promote the 2011 Carol M. White PEP Grant, click here.

Whew! We know that was a lot of information, but we hope it will help you in your PEP Grant seeking process! Good luck to all!! If you have specific questions, post them to our Facebook page and we'll do what we can to help you find the answer!

Will You Lead the Charge?

2010-06-10T14:56:00.013-05:00

This post was originally listed on PElinks4U

HONORING A VISIONARY AND REFOCUSING OUR EFFORTS
Visionary Phil Lawler
by: Jon Poole

Jon Poole is a Professor in the Department of Exercise, Sport and Health Education at Radford University.

Earlier this spring we learned that Phil Lawler passed away at the too young age of sixty. While I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Lawler in person, it feels like I have seen his face a million times and read stories about his program for many years. In an assignment I give every year to my sophomore-level “intro” course, I have my physical education teacher education (PETE) students research “New PE" and, inevitably, a large majority of my students come back with stories about Madison Junior High in Naperville, IL. (See, for example, The New PE Curriculum: An Innovative Approach to Teaching Physical Fitness, 'New P.E.' Teacher Takes Students to the Max, New PE Trend Stresses Fitness and Fun).

After my initial reading of Harvard psychiatrist, Dr. John Ratey’s Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, a couple of years ago, I came to the conclusion that Phil Lawler was a maverick, an activist, and ultimately a visionary for bringing “new PE” from the sound bites shared on pages of newspapers, magazines, and morning TV shows and into documented reports of actual K-12 gymnasia and classrooms.

While we still need long-term studies to determine if those Naperville students continue in their path toward leading a physically active and healthy lifestyle, I am convinced he showed many of us a way to successfully position PE into the mainstream of traditional schools. It might not have been “the only way,” as I do believe there are many other forward thinking teachers out there trying to revolutionize the way children experience PE, and they do not rigorously follow the model Coach Lawler proposed. But it was “a” way. Clearly he was successful with his efforts in Naperville as he became the face of PE4Life (www.pe4life.org/) for many years later. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read a tribute for him.

Phil Lawler focused on those students, the non-athletic kids, who so often are ignored in traditional PE classes. He saw first-hand that an over-reliance on male dominated team sports (such as basketball, football, and soccer) relegates the non-assertive, low-skilled, and less fit children to the sidelines as the athletic kids dominate game play. That is not to suggest we never play those games, of course, only that middle and high school PE should offer much more than that. His focus on fitness, wellness, and the fun of physical activity was the message the nation needed.

More recently First Lady Michelle Obama decided childhood obesity and the role of physical activity in the health of children would be her priority during her time in the White House. I am not sure if Phil Lawler ever met Michelle Obama (though both came from Illinois), but my guess is he would have been one of her biggest supporters on this initiative.

When visionaries such as Phil Lawler pass away, an obvious question arises…who will lead the charge now? Candidly, I see that as a challenge to PETE programs nationally. Personally, I need to ask myself if I am preparing the next generation of K-12 physical educators in such a way that Phil Lawler would be proud of their programs. Perhaps it is time to refocus our efforts on PETE programs and require a bit more than we have in recent years.

Refocusing Our Efforts in Teacher Preparation

Our respected pelinks4u leader, Dr. Steve Jefferies, made mention in a recent pelinks4u editorial, “A relatively new trend that has been emerging, primarily in response to obesity concerns, is the creation of a school climate that embraces healthy living and physical activity as integral to the school day. Because most K-12 public schools have a physical educator on staff, these individuals are uniquely positioned to provide leadership for such programs.” Then, more importantly for this discussion, Dr. Jefferies added, “However, to do so will take a change in the expectations that schools currently have for physical educators and the way we prepare them.”

In his paper describing the role of education in the National Physical Activity Plan, Dr. Daryl Siedentop shared that a refocused PETE program must prepare entry-level teachers to implement healthy lifestyles. PE programs should include the skills needed to develop staff fitness programs, working with community leaders to deliver after-school activity programs, and collaborate with classroom teachers to enhance school-based physical activity, among others.

This comprehensive approach to school physical activity is supported by our national association and the focus of a new book from Human Kinetics. The book states to “offer K-12 teachers and administrators the tools to plan and administer programs that go beyond PE class. These activities are integrated in the classroom, on playgrounds, in before-and after-school programs, in intramural programs, and in community programs.”

Similarly, Dr. Chuck Corbin and Tom McKenzie recommended, “Teacher preparation programs should restructure their curricula to include disciplinary classes that directly relate to what future teachers will actually teach, including information relevant to physical activity promotion and health-behavior change” (p. 49). The authors argue physical education teachers must teach their K-12 students behavioral self-management skills such as planning, goal setting identifying places to be active, soliciting social support, and self-reinforcement, among others. In addition, future teachers need experience with collaboration amongst parents, other teachers, school administration, and community leaders.

So now I have my summer homework: To honor a visionary and refocus the efforts of my teacher preparation program to prepare the next generation of teachers. It seems a bit daunting, I won’t lie to you, but I can’t wait to see what happens.

Works Cited

Corbin, C. & McKenzie, T. (2008). Physical activity promotion: A responsibility for both K-12 physical education and kinesiology. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, 79(6), 47-56.
Delisio, E. (2001). New PE trend stresses fitness and fun. Retrieved April 30, 2010, from www.educationworld.com/a_curr/curr346.shtml.
Furger, R. (2001). The new PE curriculum: An innovative approach to teaching physical fitness. Retrieved April 30, 2010, from www.edutopia.org/new-p-e-curriculum.
Jeffries, S. (2010). Reflections on the past, visions of our professional future. pelinks4u.org, 12(4).
Johnson, K. (2003). New PE teacher takes students to the max every activity stresses cardiovascular fitness. Retrieved April 30, 2010, from www.drwoolard.com/peinnews/new_pe_teacher.htm.
Ratey, J. (2008). Spark: The revolutionary new success of exercise and the brain. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company.
Siedentop, D. (2009). National plan for physical activity: Education sector. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 6 (Supplement 2), S168-S180.

Center School District Superintendent Challenge

2010-05-17T12:26:00.000-05:00

On May 12, 2010, Center School District in Kansas City, MO held their 5th grade Field Day. Boone, Center, Indian Creek and Red Bridge elementary schools were involved in the event. Competitions during Field Day included a softball throw, 50 yard dash, 100 yard dash, 200 yard dash and 400 yard relay.

The final event of the day was the annual Superintendent Challenge. Each year, Center Superintendent, Dr. Robert Bartman, challenges the 5th grade students to an 800 meter race. The school with the most students to cross the finish line before the Superintendent is awarded with a plaque and gets bragging rights for a whole year. Center Elementary won for the second year in a row with 11 students beating Dr. Bartman across the finish line.

Nate Francis, PE4life Program Support Specialist, attended the event and said “It was great for the students, parents and faculty. The kids were stoked when they won the Superintendent Challenge; it’s exciting to see an administrator who interacts with their students.” Center School District has plans to attend a PE4life Workshop to experience PE4life’s Core Principles in action in the near future.

We all know it’s essential that a successful Physical Education program incorporates community involvement and support from the administrators and decision makers. Challenging your students to a race is a great way for an administrator to not only advocate for physical activity in the district and the community, but also connect with the students on their level.

Kudos to Center School District and thanks for inviting PE4life to be a part of your exhilarating event! Better luck next year, Dr. Bartman!

Time for a shout out!

2010-05-14T15:15:00.001-05:00

We’re fortunate enough to have a number of ROCK STAR physical education professionals on the PE4life team. Combined, they have well over a century of PE experience. Their programs have been recognized in media outlets, big and small. Their programs are innovative, fitness-based and let’s not forget – FUN! We’ll just say it; our Academy Directors are pretty stinkin’ cool. We think it’s time we introduce them to you, one by one, starting with PE4life Academy Training Center at Grundy Center’s very own, Rick Schupbach.

If you geek out on PE the way us PE4lifers do, you’ve probably seen Grundy Center in the news lately. It hosted the 2010 Global Forum for Physical Education Pedagogy, where the Executive Director of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports said about Grundy’s PE program, "this is what every physical education class should be like and look like.” So, what makes Grundy Center’s PE program “perhaps the best in the world” as the article states? Well there are a number of things, but we’ll only mention three here (for all of them, check out our Core Principles).

First, support from your administration and community is critical. We have to give another huge shout out to Grundy Center School District's Superintendent, John Stevens. John has been a driving force in Grundy Center's program development. Cass Murra, will be taking over as Superintendent next year. She, too, is extremely supportive of the PE program and will play a crucial role in its future.

Secondly, the use of technology tools to assess students’ fitness levels and progress made. Rick’s program is top of the line in terms of technology and its use of heart rate monitors and assessment equipment. Partnering with Polar and the University of Northern Iowa, Grundy Center Community Schools is home to the Polar Scholars Graduate Program – students from UNI who come to learn the best practices and methods of incorporating technology into physical education.

Rick recently said this about the use of technology in PE. "We are a gadget society. We have to tap into a new way of doing business. The medical field does not perform the way it used to. Teachers in other areas are not teaching the way they used to. It is up to us to use technology to bring science into exercise. We can't afford to be guessing on student activity any longer." (Check out Rick’s 12 Questions for Assessing a PE Program handout from a presentation at a past PE4life Resource Conference presentation for more on assessment.) This leads us to the last criteria – one heck of a PE teacher.

We would have liked to interview Rick on his innermost feelings about his passion for PE, but Rick is a very busy man this week (you know, determining the future of PE with the head of the President’s Council and all. Hey, it ain’t easy bein’ that good!). So, we’ll tell you what we know about Rick Schupbach.

Rick has twenty-six years of teaching experience in Iowa, 21 years in Grundy Center as an elementary Physical Education instructor. In 1993 he was honored as the Iowa Elementary PE teacher of the year. During his tenure at Grundy Center he has presented at numerous conferences and workshops in the Midwest and nationally. These presentations are highlighted by his featured lesson at National PE Day in Washington D.C., and his presentations at the National PE conference in 2005 and 2007. In 2003 Rick’s program at Grundy Center Elementary School was recognized as the 1st Elementary PE4life Academy Training Center in the nation.

Rick pushes for change in the physical education world. He recognizes the need for open-mindedness and innovation and has said this during a presentation “if we continue doing what we have done in the past we will continue to get what we have gotten in the past, to the point of being eliminated from the educational landscape.”

Rick doesn’t just talk the talk. Several years ago, Rick was training for a marathon when he was diagnosed with cancer. His oncologist said that living his profession literally saved his life. If he wasn’t in such good physical condition going into his cancer treatments, the result may not have been so good.

What more can we say? We're so grateful to have you on board the PE4life train! Congratulations on your program's well-deserved success, Rick!

Last year, Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, toured Grundy Center Elementary School to witness their stellar program in action.

Read about the PE4life Academy Training Center at Grundy Center in the news:
PE plans for the future

SMALL-TOWN SOLUTION: Delegates from 29 countries find inspiration in Grundy Center The school district's P.E. program is among the best in the world.

Fitness council's Pfohl wants to reshape physical education in schools

Leader of President’s Council on Physical Fitness to visit Grundy Center

Grundy Center forum will shape future of PE

Zumba - Ditch the workout, join the party!

2010-05-12T13:11:00.009-05:00

PE4life Program Support Specialist, Nicole Weis, shares her latest fitness craze - ZUMBA!

I have been involved in some sort of physical activity my whole life. Like many fitness minded people, I have participated in sports since I was 5, and still continue to play softball and volleyball in the summer. You name the fitness class, and I have tried it (Step Aerobics, CardioKick, Spinning, etc). Not to mention, teaching physical education for 5 years, which included leading dance and aerobics classes, fitness routines, or weight training workouts. While these were all great classes, for one reason or another, I never found a fitness class as exhilarating or addicting as Zumba!

For those of you haven’t ditched the workout yet, here's how the official Zumba website describes the new workout: The Zumba Program unites hypnotic Latin rhythms and easy-to-follow moves to create a one-of-a-kind fitness program that will blow you away. The goal is simple: Want to work out, love to work out, and get hooked. Zumba Fanatics achieve long-term benefits while experiencing an absolute blast in one exciting hour of calorie-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements meant to engage and captivate for life! In simpler terms, it’s a one hour dance party that tones and sculpts your body while burning fat. Who wouldn’t get addicted to that?

*As of May 2010, the Zumba® program is being taught at over 60,000 locations in 105 countries, has sold millions of DVDs, and has changed the lives of Zumba® Fanatics worldwide with an astonishing 7.5 million participants taking Zumba classes every week.

If you want to find a Zumba class that fits your time schedule or is close to your location, visit the Zumba website at http://search.zumba.com/classes/.

Or if anyone lives in the North Kansas City area, my Zumba instructor is awesome and teaches it four days a week in St. Joseph. His website is www.zumbawithdrew.com. Here's a photo of my instructor, Drew, in action!

Need more inspiration? Listen to this playlist of Zumba sample songs and you're sure to get up and moving!

*Statistic taken from www.zumba.com.

Brain Rule #1 - Exercise Boosts Brain Power

2010-05-11T10:24:00.006-05:00

We love this guy!

Purchase Dr. John Medina's book "Brain Rules" in the PE4life Pro-Shop here.

Kansas Kids' Fitness Day

2010-05-10T13:16:00.014-05:00

Last week 389 third grade students from eight elementary schools in Kansas City, Kansas gathered at Harmon High School for the Kansas Kids' Fitness Day (KKFD). In addition to almost 400 third graders participating, more than 60 high school students ran the event.

Kansas Kids Fitness and Safety Day is a statewide event held every year on the first Friday in May. This event focuses on increasing physical activity and safety awareness among third grade students in Kansas. Nearly 18,000 students participate each year at more than 40 sites across the state.

Nicole Weis, PE4life Program Support Specialist, attended the event for the first time this year and had positive things to say. "The KKFD provided many kids the opportunity to learn firsthand the benefits of a healthy active lifestyle. It was incredible to see almost 400 kids active and involved in a noncompetitive atmosphere, all the while having a great time! The teachers served as excellent role models by participating in the activities with the students, including hula hooping, tug of war, and running through obstacle courses!"

Seven of the eight schools in attendance have attended a PE4life Workshop to experience the PE4life Core Principles in action.

To learn more about the KKFD visit www.kdheks.gov /kkfd.

Watermelon Feta Salad!

2010-05-06T09:31:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Laurie Welty, PE4life Administrative Assistant, for submitting this recipe!

It happens every summer….fresh produce is in abundance and I can’t help myself. I load up on all the great fruits and vegetables that are not as fresh as in the winter months. I volunteer in a community garden, have a small patio garden and love the farmers markets in Kansas City, MO and Overland Park, KS.

The big question - what to do with the extra watermelon left over after having some at a cookout or for dessert? I found an amazing recipe for Watermelon Feta Salad. I know….I was a bit skeptical at first as well. As I read the list of ingredients, I found that I liked them all. So, I gave it a try one day last summer and it was fabulous! It is refreshing, quick to prepare, and no cooking needed. I would love to know what you think.

Watermelon Feta Salad:
1.    Cut a small red onion into bite size strips and place in a small bowl with the juice of two limes
2.    Cut half a watermelon into one inch cubes and de-seed
3.    Combine watermelon and 1 cup feta cheese in a separate larger salad bowl
4.    Add large sprigs of parsley and a handful of chopped mint
5.    Pour onions along with the juice into the salad bowl
6.    Add olive oil to taste and about ¼ cup of pitted Kalamata olives
7.    Season salad with a dash of freshly ground pepper and toss lightly
8.    Enjoy!

How Will You Be Remembered?

2010-05-02T22:51:00.018-05:00

Guest Blogger: Brenda VanLengen

Have you ever thought about what you’d like people to say about you at your funeral? The end of your life may not be something you want to think about, but the way you live your life will be your legacy.

Yesterday, I attended the funeral of a man who I’ve known for nine years, but who will impact my life forever. But, more important than that, the way he lived his life will impact millions of lives.

At the funeral of Phil Lawler, two of his best friends and his three incredible children paid tribute to the man and his legacy. He was remembered for his faith, his devotion to his family, and his passion for his life work in physical education and baseball.

Phil started his career as a gym teacher and coach, similar to many former athletes. He taught PE for years believing that all kids liked sports as much as he did. His PE classes had the typical emphasis on team sports. But, one day about twenty years ago, he read an article in the newspaper about the trend in the U.S. of children getting more overweight and obese and he thought, ‘Aren’t we as physical education professionals the ones responsible for helping children learn to live active lives and be healthy? We need to take the lead and do something about this.’

He examined the way he and his colleagues were delivering physical education and realized that they needed to do more to reach all children, not just the athletically inclined. He changed his philosophy to introduce a wide variety of sports and fitness activities to engage more children. He introduced small-sided games and modified rules so that more children had the opportunity to participate, instead of a traditional PE sport like football where the “best athlete throws the ball to his best friend” and 20 other kids stand around and don’t really participate.

He utilized technology to connect with kids on their level, using heart rate monitors to give children feedback on what was happening within their bodies and searched out high-tech games where children could pedal within a video game or dance and exercise on high tech dance pads. He got the community involved and had firefighters work out with his middle school students and the local cardiologist give cholesterol tests to students.

He wasn’t the only innovative PE teacher in the country, but he was one that really took a bold stand to be inclusive of all children and create a “New PE”. In addition, he let people know about it. He was masterful at networking with people across the country explaining what he was doing in his program and he was able to get national news attention from CNN, CBS and USA Today, among others, to a middle school “gym class.”

That’s when the President of Wilson Sporting Goods (based in Chicago), Jim Baugh, learned about his program. In 1999, Jim had the idea to start a non-profit organization dedicated to returning daily physical education back to schools and liked the way Phil Lawler was doing things in Naperville, Illinois. Not only was the program in Naperville inclusive of all children and doing innovative things, it was offered to every child, every day of the week. Jim Baugh had already reached out to his colleagues in the sporting goods industry to raise the seed money and to start the non-profit organization, PE4life, to raise national awareness about the importance of kids being physically active and the critical role physical education, specifically daily P.E., can and should play. In 2000, Jim hired Anne Flannery as Executive Director and she invited Phil Lawler to Washington D.C. to speak at a national press conference about physical education, a topic that was not on the national media radar, but would be over the next ten years.

A year later, in fall 2001, a few months after I came on board with the organization, PE4life designated Phil’s school at Madison Junior High in the Naperville CUSD 203 as the first PE4life Institute, later to be named PE4life Academy, to provide a “train the trainer” model to help other schools in their quest to gain administrative and community support to improve their physical education programs.

On December 31, 2002, Phil sat with me in a hotel lobby near Chicago O’Hare airport and shared story after story about how he had built his program, garnered support from community leaders, involved members of the medical community, elevated his program to be ranked the #1 curriculum by parents in the community, integrated technology and assessment into his program and how he had been able to get thousands of dollars of equipment donated to his program and generated national media attention. That conversation, combined with many before and after, was the basis for the first PE4life training manual.

Phil retired early from teaching, in 2004, and chose to focus on helping other schools improve their physical education programs, but still continued coaching the Central High School baseball team. He joined the PE4life team as the Director of Education Outreach and over the next several years, Phil, and his colleague Paul Zientarski at Naperville Central High School, tag-teamed to host community teams from school districts from 40 states in the United States and ten foreign countries to showcase their programs and the PE4life principles they embraced. Additionally, Paul created a physical education program at Central High School to stimulate brain activity and placed it before difficult classes, showing that a quality, daily PE program could enhance academic performance.

Even though Phil was first diagnosed with cancer in 2004 and battled it five times over the next six years, he was a keynote speaker at almost every PE4life event over that time. He continued to network and found innovative new products and equipment to enhance PE programs. He became friends with Dr. Kenneth Cooper, the father of aerobics, and Dr. John Ratey a noted brain researcher from Harvard. He appeared in the movie “Super Size Me.” He spoke in front of Congress. He made phone call after phone call to members of Congress, state legislators, corporate executives, medical professionals, school administrators and gym teachers, uh, physical education professionals, throughout the world.

His passion and his commitment for changing the perception of physical education and the actual delivery of physical education has changed the lives of countless children throughout the world.

His close friend, Paul Zientarski, eulogized Phil by naming and describing words that portrayed him – innovator, educator, advocate, networker, communicator, competitor, first class and friend.

Bill Seiple, who coached baseball side by side with Phil since 1982 at Naperville Central, and who is himself a cancer survivor, spoke of Phil’s commitment to the developing the character of young men. He said that some people see things for what they are, but Phil had the gift of seeing things for what they could be.

Phil’s son Todd spoke passionately and proudly of the impact of his father on countless lives and the courage and passion he showed in his battle with cancer. Todd said that whenever anyone spoke to Phil, he gave her or him undivided attention and showed that he truly cared about everything being said. Todd spoke of the last audible word that his father said to him was “Win!” and Todd said he plans to win in everything he does because that’s what his father did.

His daughter Kim talked about the unconditional love Phil showed, to all people no matter their age or their opinion, or even if they didn’t play baseball, she joked. She spoke of his legacy of love and how she would continue that.

His son Scott, the associate head baseball coach at Notre Dame, who bears a strong resemblance to Phil, talked about the strength of his mother as her husband battled cancer for six years. He mentioned that when he was in middle school, everyone would tell him he would be a coach and teacher someday and he never thought that would be true. But, the influence of his father, and his uncle, led him to coaching and teaching. He talked about his father’s passion for physical education and the use of heart rate monitors and joked that he was probably in heaven convincing Jesus to strap on a heart rate monitor. Scott said that Phil was a “man of few words” when it came to his faith and saying that Phil was a man of few words about anything is odd. But, Phil was more a man of action where his faith was concerned. He lived his faith by the way he treated those around him.

The strength and poise of his children was amazing. I was fascinated as I felt Phil’s spirit coming through each one of them as they spoke. Phil had a gift for making you want to listen to everything he had to say. He was confident, passionate, caring, respectful and engaging and each of his children personify his legacy.

Phil made me think about the education of children in a different way. He helped to articulate the principles that are the foundation of the PE4life organization. I heard Phil speak many times over the nine years that I knew him --- to large audiences, small ones and one-on-one. I can repeat many of his stories verbatim. Many of his words and stories are the ones I repeat when I speak to people about PE4life – the story about the first girl he put a heart rate monitor on in PE class, the mother who came up to him with tears streaming down her face recounting her experience with PE, the firefighters who worked out in the fitness center with his students, Dr. John Ratey’s quote that exercise is like fertilizer for the brain, it’s so good it’s like Miracle Grow and on and on.

I have many fond memories of Phil, but one of my favorites was the time that we took at PE4life “field trip” to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. Phil was mesmerized by the history around him. He was a baseball aficionado and each exhibit or picture elicited a story. He even shared with me where the baseball phrase “can of corn” came from – back in the days when there were mercantiles where people went for groceries and had to ask for the store clerk to get the items off the shelf, typically the cans of corn were on a top shelf. The store clerk would have to turn and hook the can off the top shelf to drop it down and the clerk would hold out his apron to catch the “can of corn” out in front of him.

Phil turned 60 in February and his time on earth was far shorter than any of us hoped it would be. However, Phil lived each of those 60 years to the fullest. He lived his life with purpose, with passion and with integrity. When it comes time for each of us to have our lives recounted, will we be able to have the same said?

Read Brenda's Blog here: She's Got Game.

Phil Lawler: A Legend and a Friend

2010-04-27T10:24:00.001-05:00

February 18, 1950 – April 23, 2010

“It’s about enabling each student to maintain a physically-active lifestyle forever. It means emphasizing fitness and wellbeing, not athleticism. It eliminates practices that humiliate students. And it assesses students on their progress in reaching personal physical activity and fitness goals. A [quality] program exposes kids to the fun and long-term benefits of movement – it’s really that simple.” -- Phil Lawler

Phil Lawler is and will forever remain a legend in the Physical Education world. Recognized as the leader and voice in the quest for quality Physical Education, Phil believed that every child regardless of athletic ability should be given a chance to find an activity that they can embrace and enjoy for a lifetime. His vision was the catalyst for the creation of PE4life. His passion was unmatched. To live a life as Phil did–so devoted to the cause you whole-heartedly believe in–is admirable.

After building his innovative Physical Education program at Madison Jr. High in Naperville, IL, Phil went on to train hundreds of Physical Educators and school officials from across the US and from ten countries worldwide. Phil’s passion and vision has been shared with countless number of Physical Educators, creating accountability and respect for the profession, changing the way it had been perceived for so long. His favorite quip, saying he is known as the Rodney Dangerfield of PE “I get no respect.” Creating a loyal following, Phil’s legacy will live on through the many lives he touched.

PE4life founder, Jim Baugh, recalls being inspired by Phil so many years ago. “When I was President of Wilson Sporting Goods and had the vision for PE4life, I did some research into the ‘state of PE’. Thank goodness I worked in the Chicago area and there was a man and school district where Phil Lawler worked. I spent hours with Phil learning about the “New PE” he envisioned. We quickly hit it off. I knew he knew where PE4life should be focused. Phil was a pioneer, leader, and fighter. He not only had a philosophy and approach, he lived it every day. Phil helped me shape PE4life and also re-shaped PE forever. In many ways, he re-shaped America. He will never be forgotten.”

Phil’s vision went beyond teaching methods and was highly sought after from those in the Fitness, Medical, Research and Sporting Equipment Industries. Phil was often a consultant to numerous equipment companies in development of cutting-edge products that could be used in PE class. Phil believed that we should embrace video games and today’s technology rather than blame them for sedentary lifestyles. Additionally, he helped lead the movement of Learning Readiness PE (LRPE) using exercise to help the learning process. Working closely with Dr. John Ratey, Harvard Brain Researcher, Phil’s work was highlighted in the book SPARK: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.

Phil advocated for quality physical education on Capitol Hill numerous times, including helping to write the Carol M. White Physical Education for Progress (PEP) Grant, which has awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for schools, and presenting in front of a House Sub-Committee in 2007. Phil was featured on the Academy Award nominated documentary “Super Size Me” and in numerous media outlets including USA Today, the Washington Post, the Today Show, Good Morning America and others.

In addition to his work in Physical Education, Phil was an accomplished and renowned baseball coach at Naperville Central High School. His many honors include winning the 2006 Illinois State Championship, was the first assistant high school baseball coach inducted into the Illinois High School Coaches Hall of Fame, and most recently had his number (29) retired at Naperville Central’s Varsity Field.

More than just a catalyst for change in the Physical Education world and an inspiration for how to live a fulfilled life, Phil was a friend. We’ll forever be indebted to him for the impact he had on our country’s children and forever grateful for the unwavering friendship he has shown us over the years.

You will be missed, Phil.

-------------------------------------

Visitation for Philip Lawler will be on Thursday, April 29, 2010 from 3:00pm – 8:00pm (Rosary at 7:00pm) at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, 2220 Lisson Road, Naperville, IL 60565. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 30, 2010 at 10:00am at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, Naperville, IL. Interment will follow at Naperville Cemetery, Naperville, IL.

Memorial contributions will be directed to a very special project as defined by Phil and the Lawler family. Contributions can be made to the “Phil Lawler Fund” and send to: PE4life, 127 West 10th Street, Suite 101, Kansas City, MO 64105.

Contact:
Carrie Gibson, PE4life
127 West 10th Street
Kansas City, MO 64105
816-472-7345
cgibson@pe4life.org

Amusement parks equal successful form of exercise!

2010-04-21T16:03:00.007-05:00

I returned yesterday from a four day Disney excursion and upon waking this morning with aching muscles, came to the conclusion that there may not be a better form of exercise than spending a day or two at an amusement park (some bloggers report walking up to 15 miles at Disney World!). Not only are you walking for an entire day, which in itself would give you plenty of exercise, but there’s also a sort of aerobic aspect to dodging all the oversized strollers, overjoyed children, and frazzled parents.

Entirely coincidental, I woke up this morning to an interesting Google Alert. In staying true to the high-energy atmosphere associated with their parks, Disney just released a press release announcing a new partnership with Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move Campaign. Who better suited to tell kids to ‘eat healthy and exercise more’ than Hannah Montana and the other beloved Disney characters? Although there’s no doubt this partnership will likely have a direct effect on the childhood obesity epidemic, I have to wonder if we’ve seen the last of the chocolate covered frozen banana at Disney’s Magic Kingdom…

Moral of this story? If you’re looking for a fun way to get active with your family AND if you love a good roller coaster, an amusement park is your ticket (no pun intended) to a fun-filled, active day! Plus, the kids won’t even know they’re getting a work out.

Check out this link to find a theme park near you!

9AM - Going strong!

5PM - Done!

Free Ask, Listen, Learn Game!

2010-04-21T15:45:00.028-05:00

Proudly debuting the Ask, Listen, Learn Interactive Game!

PE4life and The Century Council, a national not-for-profit organization funded by America’s leading distillers and dedicated to fighting drunk driving and underage drinking have teamed up to develop an interactive application for the XaviX game system to engage youth in physical activity while learning about the negative effects of alcohol on their bodies and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Based on the successful Ask, Listen, Learn: Kids and Alcohol Don’t Mix multimedia program, this interactive application is designed for play on the XaviX Game System (XaviXPort and J-Mat) for students ages 10-13. It includes activities such as: running, obstacle courses, side-stepping, dancing and flight archery, all of which require students to be active. The game also incorporates a series of random questions throughout the game that challenge participants’ knowledge about the dangers of underage drinking and the positive impact of healthy decisions.

Nicole Weis, a PE4life Program Support Specialist, gave the application a thumbs up! Check out Nicole work up a sweat and test her knowledge in the Ask, Listen, Learn Game. Click here to see Olympic Speedskater Apolo Ohno play the game at Robert Wagner Middle School in New York City.

PE4life is proud to offer the game and XaviX system to all schools who have attended a PE4life workshop or event. Want one? Let me know!

Everybody’s doing it!

2010-04-09T12:46:00.010-05:00

Michelle Obama did it just a few weeks ago. Martha Stewart is famous for doing it. My dad does it every year. What am I talking about? Planting a garden, of course!

Here’s why you should do it:

· Still holding a grudge against Mother Nature for the harsh winter? What better way to get back at her than digging up her precious Earth.

· Planting a garden can actually be quite the workout, so switch out the gym for the dirt, just this once.

· Have a picky eater in your family? Get them involved! Kids will be more open to eating healthy foods if they had a hand in creating them.

· If you know you have $20.00 worth of fruits and vegetables in your back yard that will rot in X number of days, you’re far more likely to eat them.

· We all know that in most cases, eating unhealthy costs less than eating healthy. Growing your own fruits and vegetables can save you money. In some cases, lots of it. I think everyone can appreciate that!

· How often do you get outdoors and in touch with nature? I know I don’t do it nearly as often as I’d like. There’s something about spending time with nature that is very rewarding and humbling. So do it!

Still not convinced? Check out these websites, where people are far more persuasive than I am:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/559491/reasons_to_grow_your_own_fruit_and.html

http://www.iowasource.com/eco/2008_04_garden.html

http://austinurbangardens.wordpress.com/2009/12/31/10-great-reasons-to-plant-a-vegetable-garden-in-2010/

Okay, so you’re on board with the homegrown veggies. Now, how the heck do you get started? I could rattle on and on about how I think a garden should be planted. But, why take it from me when there are so many experts out there? Check ‘em out!

http://www.thefarm.org/charities/i4at/lib2/howgardn.htm

http://www.gardenguides.com/garden-design/

http://www.garden.org/home

http://www.garden.org/howtovideos/index.php?page=video12

Now that you have the whys and the hows, it’s time to get started! So, get out there and get filthy! Your backyard, your body, and your budget will appreciate it!

School Spotlight: Ankeny Community School District

2010-04-05T12:32:00.006-05:00

We love to give credit where credit is due! Check out Ankeny Community School District, featured in this quarter's newsletter, and all the positive things going on in their PE program. Keep it up Ankeny!

The mission of the Physical Education and Health programs is to empower each student to make informed decisions to lead healthy and active lifestyles. The secondary schools focus on individual fitness through many formats, and all of the schools are beginning to implement more outdoor education activities. The PE staff will also be starting an annual 5K run for the district next year.

Parkview Middle School (6th/7th grade) begins to introduce the students to the use of technology in PE. Some of the technology at Parkview includes the use of Polar Heart Rate Monitors, and vodcasting to create student lead exercise videos. Parkview focuses on individual lifetime fitness, team sports, and special activities. Many of the activities and team sports incorporate small sided games. Fitness testing is analyzed to drive instruction throughout the year, and used by students to set personal goals. Students attend Health and PE on opposite days.

Northview Middle School (8th/9th grade) has a unique programming style where health and physical education are integrated in an 84 minute block of time every other day. Our students continue the use of the heart rate monitors that were introduced to them at Parkview. Northview also uses the tri-fit system to obtain data on the specific fitness needs of our students and when students leave Northview they receive a report with their two year fitness results. Northview offers our students a variety of activity choices. Every four weeks our students are allowed to choose the activities they would like to participate in for the rotation. This allows our students to have some ownership in their fitness choices and allows them to find activities that they may choose to do for a lifetime. Our goal for our program is to continue to add new activities to our program and integrate our health and physical education curriculum in order to continue to give our students a broad spectrum of skills.

The Ankeny High School Physical Education Program provides for the varying needs of students through curriculum that offers a variety of choices of physical activities. All students must take one of the four PE offerings both semesters of all three years enrolled at the high school level. Offering a variety of activities creates opportunities for exposure to various lifetime activities and sports. The curriculum is designed to promote the development of physical and mental health in addition to providing students with the knowledge and skills that lead to personal wellness. AHS Physical Education emphasizes the importance of establishing and maintaining personal fitness levels, improving interpersonal skills, and encouraging physical activity over a lifetime. Use of technology includes the Polar TriFit computer system as well as the implementation of Ecko Heart Rate Monitors. All students complete Fitnessgram physical fitness testing that helps guide our instruction.

Want your school’s PE program to be featured in our newsletter? Send a brief description of why your PE program deserves the spotlight to msheppard@pe4life.org.

Help us, help you (and win some free stuff)!

2010-03-30T15:08:00.004-05:00

PE4life Academy Director, Tim McCord, recently wrote a powerful statement on a previous blog posting - "There is no better time than the present to be a physical a educator. The spotlight is shining upon us."

We think Tim is right. With all the anti-obesity efforts recently initiated, including the First Lady’s admirable Let’s Move campaign, there has never been a better time for us to stand up and declare the importance of physical education in the fight against childhood obesity. After all, it’s the physical educators who are in the trenches, executing PE4life’s Core Principles and witnessing the affect they are having on students and communities. So, while we are well aware of the positive impact physical education has on our youth, it’s the perfect time to share our successes with the rest of the world!

Make your stories heard – stories of academic achievement, improved fitness scores, community involvement, decreased disciplinary incidents – any and all testimonials that demonstrate quality physical education is having positive impact on the lives in your school and community.

Send your stories to info@pe4life.org by May 1st and we’ll compile all the testimonials into a downloadable booklet available on our website, which we encourage you to use as a resource to garner additional support for your program. You'll also be entered to win free registration to our upcoming Resource Conference, plus other cool prizes. Remember to include your name and school district to get the credit you deserve!

Want to share your story in photos? Just be sure to have your student’s legal guardian fill out a photo release form, giving us permission to use the photo.

PE4life’s Core Principles
We believe PE should:
• Be directed to all students, not just the athletically inclined
• Offer a variety of fitness, sport, leisure and adventure activities
• Provide a safe and encouraging learning environment
• Utilize individual assessments
• Incorporate current technology
• Extend beyond the walls of the gymnasium
• Ideally, be offered to every child every day

Want to be inspired?

2010-03-24T09:24:00.008-05:00

Found myself digging through the PE4life archives, looking at old articles and testimonials that have been written over the years. Each time I do this, I am reminded why I work for PE4life. I have been with the organization for six years now. I'm not a physical educator. I don't have a health background. But what continues to drive and motivate me to contribute is that I work with the most amazing physical education professionals who are so passionate and truly make a difference in this crazy world we live.

Phil Lawler is the driving force - the leader - the person who inspires us here at PE4life and educators across the world to look at how we can change the culture of health and wellness through physical education. I came across Phil's testimony before a US House Subcommittee in 2007 – and while I’ve heard these things over and over – Phil breaks it down so simply. So clearly. With such vision.

Here are some of my favorites:

"Let me give you a quick example of when I saw the light. Our department had acquired a single heart rate monitor. I hadn’t used it but one day I took it out and put it on a girl I didn’t believe was working very hard in class. In the old days of PE assessment, we said, “let’s run a mile, and if you can’t run a mile under eight minutes, you’re a failure.” How many people in this country were turned off to exercise by those standards? I put the heart rate monitor on a young lady who didn’t have asthma and wasn’t overweight. So, based on her 13.5-minute mile, I deemed her a failure. But when I downloaded her heart rate monitor, her average heart rate was 187. By just using my observation as a physical education instructor she wasn’t doing anything, she wasn’t expending any effort. But in reality, the heart rate monitor told me she was working too hard."

“It’s about enabling each student to maintain a physically-active lifestyle forever. It means emphasizing fitness and wellbeing, not athleticism. It eliminates practices that humiliate students. And it assesses students on their progress in reaching personal physical activity and fitness goals. A [quality] program exposes kids to the fun and long-term benefits of movement – it’s really that simple.”

"I think former surgeon general, Dr. Richard Carmona, summarized the situation the best when he said, “As we look to the future and where childhood obesity will be in 20 years… it is every bit as threatening to us as is the terrorist threat we face today. It is the threat from within.” Physical Education can be a key part of the solution to that threat, maybe the most important part of the solution."

This being said – I’ve got to get back to work. So much is still to be done!

Carrie Gibson

To read Phil's full testimonial go here.

Technology in the Classroom

2010-03-22T15:11:00.000-05:00

We all know the importance of utilizing technology in the classroom, it's even one of our Core Principles! But, we also know that it's sometimes easier said than done. Check out this Australian PE Teacher's recommendations for must have pieces of technology in the classroom. For more of his great ideas, visit his blog at mrrobbo.wordpress.com.

1) Flip Video Camera – The first and most essential tool for a Physical Education teacher. No other camera is as simple to record video footage, making it a snap to film and analyse sporting techniques and game play.

2) Mp3 Player/Recorder – With the abundance on MP3 players today you can be sure to be able to buy an excellent player full of features for a small price. For as little as $20 you can purchase a player with the ability to play and record mp3 files and connect to the radio. One of the ways I utilised it within my classroom has been to create podcasts or recordings of my own teaching that can be loaded onto the Mp3 player for review at a later stage. This also allowed us to complete theoretical course content while we completed a casual walk or ride around the lake. This really assisted the kinesthetic learners who enjoyed the ability to move while they learned. Buy a class set of 10 and rotate them through the group.

3) Mobile Phones – Regardless of peoples perceptions of mobile phones being timewasters, they are without a doubt the single most must have item of today and why shouldnt they be? Today’s mobiles are like the swiss army knives of the 1800’s, with every modern piece of equipment you could ever need. It is now impossible to find a phone that is simply ‘just a phone’.
a. Calendar – Have your students use the phones calendar as a diary for recording important dates and information. Never again will you hear the excuse that they didn’t realise an assessment was due
b. Clock/Stopwatch – Use the inbuilt stopwatch and alarm to help organise and time training sessions. In this example, students move from passive participants within a session to the role of trainers as they are forced to organise the session.
c. SMS – use this feature and a service such as www.smsexpress.com.au to send bulk messages to more than one phone from your laptop. Easily allows for instant communication with a large group or class. Makes late minute changes to the sports draw of outdoor education camp easy to communicate. Use it as an alternative to paper and pens during a sports session or camp and have students answer questions based on their participation.
d. Camera/Video Camera – Use them within all practical sessions as a way to film and analyse performance instantly. Most phones even come with video editing software allowing students to edit their own footage.

4) Tube Chop.com – With the absolute plethora of videos on Youtube it is a must for Physical Education teachers. The great thing about Tube chop is that it allows teachers to select a certain section from a youtube video and share only that section. Great way to filter the nonsense in Youtube.

5) Youtube.com or Vimeo.com – Have your students teach a sport or physical skill and film it with a Flip Video camera for uploading to Youtube. Sit back and watch as people from around the world watch and comment on the video.

6) Google Docs – Spreadsheet – Share a google docs spreadsheet to all your students with simple formulas to work out and graph averages. Have each member of your class have a copy of the spreadsheet loaded on their computer screen. Complete a step test, and record heart rates pre, post and every minute after, for 5 minutes. Results are collated instantly from all computers within the room and displayed in one graph. This gives students a way to visualise their changes in heart rate in comparison with their peers. (Instructions here http://mrrobbo.wordpress.com/2009/05/23/watching-my-classes-heart-beat/)

7) Skype – Without a doubt my number one tool within a Physical Education classroom. Use skype to make free phone and video calls to other skype members all aroud the world. Connect your students to the textbook author to engage in a face to face chat worlds apart. How abouth having your students teach a game to another group of students from across the world? All it takes is an internet connection and a webcam and you can be linked up in no time. My students recently used skype to interview a sports nutritionist within the Australian Institite of Sport, who talked about the foods Australian Athletes would be eating in the lead up to a major competition.

8. Posterous.com – Simplest way to make an online digital portfolio of your sporting performance that can be reviewed and analysed over time. Simply film or record the desired skill and send the video file within an email to post@posterous.com. This will turn your email into its very own unique website where the video will be able to be watched online. Have a new video or document you would like to include? Simply send a new email to post@posterous.com. By far the easiest, no fuss way to put anything you like online.

9) Nintendo Wii – With the influx of video games now requiring physical movement to play why not introduce them into the curriculum. Have your students wear heart rate monitors and while participating within a simularion sport game on the Nintendo Wii, then compare and contrast this to the ‘real’ sport for excellent discussion about how intensity effects heart rate.

10) Nintendo WiI Remote Control – Attach a single Nintendo Wii remote control to your computer via Bluetooth (Instructions here http://tinyurl.com/csslwy). This will allow you to utilise the inbuilt accelerometer within the control to track the movements and forces applied to the control as it is manipulated in space. Take it one step further and place it inside a dodgeball to record the forces applied to a throw within a game. All forces are displayed in a real time graph on your laptop for on-the-fly analysis. These graphs can then be utilised to prompt excellent discussion about acceleration around an axis.

11) Ipod Nike Sensor – Have students bring their Ipods to class or buy a class set. Students then attach a Nike Sensor to their shoe which communicates and records their physical activity. Students records are then sent to their own website where they can view and track their training progress and compete against others from all over the world.

12) Geocaching – Geocaching is the free high-tech treasure hunt where you use your GPS receiver to find caches hidden by other players. It’s a great way to be outdoors, enjoy the environment and the revel in the thrill of the hunt!. Simply logon to www.geocaching.com and search for a cache within your area ( your bound to find 100’s) and begin your hunt with the GPS. The hidden cache may require more smarts than meets the eye and reward your with a special prize, it really depends on the cache. Why not ha ve your students make a virtual tour of their town as a series of hidden geocaches.

13) iPhone –
a. Runkeeper – Have your school purchase an iPhone and utilise the free application called RunKeeper, which keeps track of your physical activity via the GPS. Simply return to your computer to view the path/average distace/speed/elevation and calories exerted throughout the journey.
b. 100 Pushups – Have your Iphone work as a coach to motivate and work you towards a training goal of 100 pushups. The application adjusts its training depending on how you feel and the results you achieve.

To read more from this blog, visit mrrobbo.wordpress.com.

PE4life Day at the Big 12 Tournament was a huge success!

2010-03-19T09:01:00.000-05:00

As a way to say "thanks" to the students, PE teachers, administrators and other faculty, we hosted a PE4life Day at the Big 12 Women's Basketball Championship here in KC.

We had a great turnout! More than 1700 students, teachers and administrators from 19 schools and six KC Metro school districts showed up at the Municipal Auditorium. All of whom have attended PE4life professional development workshops and presentations.

It was a great event! We hope to have pictures up soon!

The Fighting Murphies

2010-03-18T08:39:00.000-05:00

Meet the new PE4life Mascot:

Murphy!

The PE4life gang is gearing up for the NCAA Tournament. With Kansas, Kansas State and Syracuse alums in the office, this could get ugly!

So, who is your pick for the 2010 NCAA National Champion?

Fed Up With Lunch

2010-03-15T12:14:00.000-05:00

A school teacher is doing recon work in her school cafeteria, monitoring and consuming the food offered to students on a daily basis. Not only that, she is blogging about it!

Choosing to remain nameless, concealing her identity in fear of losing her job, this teacher was appalled at the lack of nutritious food offered in her school. Every day in 2010, she will walk through the lunch line, sit in the cafeteria and consume the same food available to students.

"I'm eating school lunch just like the kids to raise awareness about what students eat every day. My hope is that the US becomes more reflective about how the food children eat effects their well-being and success in school." - Fed Up With Lunch: The School Lunch Project author

What looked sure to be an attack on lunch-ladies everywhere, this blog site has become a positive resource in providing links to organizations and schools who are doing it right, and also featuring guest blogs from other teachers who share their school lunch experience – good and bad!

Fed Up with Lunch: The School Lunch Project

To see what PE4life is doing to address nutrition in school, check out the Healthy Schools Partnership.

Great summary article of the PEP Grant!

2010-03-12T10:58:00.000-06:00

What to Know About the Carol M. Whit PEP Grant by Ryan Frank in Education / K-12 Education

The so-called PEP Grant, given out by the Carol M. Whit Physical Education Program, is a federal grant that provides millions of dollars each year to various schools and community organizations, including those that are faith-based, in order to help them improve their physical education programs for K-12 students. An individual school or organization can receive $100,000 to $500,000 from the PEP grant, money that can be used for upgrading equipment, staff training, and physical fitness support programs.

Qualifying for the PEP Grant
A school or organization wishing to qualify for a 2010 PEP Grant has to demonstrate that it has designed and implemented a physical education program that meets state standards and does one or more of the following:

* Give students instruction in motor skills and physical activities that will enhance their mental, physical and social development.

* Provide fitness assessments and help improve student understanding of maintaining physical well-being.

* Give students opportunities for the development of social skills through physical activity.

* Instructs students in cognitive concepts that relate to physical fitness and that will help promote healthy lifestyles.

* Provide instruction on good nutrition and healthy eating habits.

* Give physical education teachers opportunities for professional development and help staying up to date with the latest trends and research in their field.

Federal Budget and the PEP Grant
The Obama Administration's proposal for the FY 2011 budget includes a plan to consolidate 38 educational programs into 11 new authorities, the purpose being to streamline the U.S. Department of Education. The Carol M. Whit PEP Grant would be consolidated with five other programs into a single authority that would be called "Successful, Safe and Healthy Students". The PEP grant will still be available, but the funding for and administration of it would fall under a new, consolidated authority. The good news is that under the proposed change, the "Successful, Safe and Healthy" students program would have a 2011 budget of $410 million, more than the current funds for all the individual programs combined. You can find information on applying for the PEP Grant here, at the NASPE website.

About the Author:
Ryan Frank is an avid writer and blogger living in San Diego, CA.

Visit www.pe4life.org to learn more about the PEP Grant and other funding opportunities available for your program. Also, be sure to attend the 2010 Resource Conference, where you'll gain applicable, hands on knowledge that you can begin implementing upon returning home.

Excuses, Excuses

2010-03-10T10:43:00.000-06:00

Welcoming back guest blogger: Tim McCord, PE4life Academy Director, Titusville Area School District, Titusville, PA

In the last ten years our school district has hosted numerous teachers, administrators, and parents all looking for ways to take PE4life's Core Principles integrated into our physical education program in Titusville, PA and implement them into their existing program. It has been an interesting experience and one in which many new friends and networking buddies have been made.

As I conduct the PE4life workshops I am often taken aback by the “excuse making” that I meet. Trust me when I say the excuses are many and usually universal in nature. Here are just a few.

“We can’t do that at our school.”
“We don’t have the money for those types of things.”
“My principal would never support that.”

Sound familiar? In addition to the excuses I would be remiss if I did not mention how often I hear the phrase “what if…” usually followed by something along the line of “the students refuse to do that.”

Up to this point you may have thought I was going to throw these “excuse makers” and “what if” people under the bus. Not so. Instead I am going to give them a little McCord family advice.

You see, from the time I was a little tot (for those that know me, some will say I am still a little tot in stature…just a lot older), my dear mother would frequently offer her musings when I met with frustration. Mom would tell me, “Can’t never did anything until Try showed him how.” If I only had a nickel for every time I have heard that phrase from Mom. And now, I would like to pass it along to every teacher who tries to improve the physical education program in their school.

Sure, you are going to meet roadblocks and stumble along the way. But, how much progress would you have made if you had never tried at all?

There is no better time than the present to be a physical educator. The spotlight is shining upon us. Research has shown the importance of our profession. Children suffering from obesity need our help. Our First Lady has jumped on board to offer her help.

If you are a physical educator looking to make changes in your program, take advantage of everything available to you and make the first step toward a quality PE program. Network with your colleagues. Investigate the latest research as to the connection of fitness and academics. Get involved with PE4life through their newsletter, attend an event or sign up for Program Support Services to learn the latest trends in PE.

And most of all, heed the advice of Mother McCord. Don’t let the “I Can’t” creep into your thinking. Take the first step towards quality physical education in your school district. Just give it a TRY.

"Can't never did anything until TRY showed him how." -- Mother McCord

Heads Up Iowa!

2010-03-04T09:42:00.000-06:00

A funding opportunity is coming your way!! And no better time than now with the budget cutbacks schools are facing.

Through our partnership with the Iowa Business Council (IBC), we are offering scholarships to Iowa schools for professional development, program development and equipment. These scholarships will be provided to schools who are ready and willing to make a commitment to the health of Iowa youth by integrating PE4life’s Core Principles. These scholarships may value up to $45,000 for your program (this includes up to $10,000 for equipment!).

The IBC is made up of executives from 20 of the state’s largest business, university and banking association leaders. They are committed to making Iowa the healthiest state in the country, and by providing funding to schools to implement PE4life’s proven methods of enhancing physical education, it sounds like they are well on their way! Read Press Release from the IBC.

Learn about the Adopt-A-School Challenge and how to apply for a scholarship by attending the PE4life / IBC Adopt-A-School Challenge Summit on Monday, April 12th at Drake University in Des Moines.

This FREE educational opportunity is open to all Iowa schools and was made possible through funding from the US Department of Education.

Take a brain break!

2010-03-02T11:34:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Rachelle Gardner, PE4life Program Support Coordinator, for submitting this blog post.

More and more educators are turning to break breaks. It's important that students have an opportunity throughout a class period to move around to take "brain breaks" to refocus their attention so they can learn new material. Brain research suggests that physical activity prior to class (in PE for example) and during class, increases students' ability to process and retain new material.

Here is a great blog that not only details step-by-step instructions for a ton of brain breaks, but also includes videos of students performing them in class to make brain breaks even easier to learn!

So, now the only question is, which one will be your / your students' favorite?

www.brainbreaks.blogspot.com

She's Got Game!

2010-02-25T12:18:00.000-06:00

Excited to share that you can hear Brenda VanLengen every Friday afternoon on her new online radio program “She’s Got Game.”

Brenda is in her 15th season as a game analyst for women’s basketball and can be seen on national broadcasts on ESPN, Fox Sports Net and CBS College Sports. Listen to LIVE on http://www.sportsradiokc.com/ as she covers women’s sports in the Kansas City area and beyond!

Brenda and her friends at PE4life celebrate her new endeavors!

(And, yes, that is a chocolate martini next to Brenda. If you're lucky, some day she might tell you the story that goes with it.)

Follow Brenda!

Facebook: BVonTV etc

Twitter: BrendaVanLengen

Join us in congratulating BV!

**********

**UPDATE!** Beginning March 1st, "She's Got Game" will be live every Monday and Friday at 1:00pm CST!

Treat Yourself!

2010-02-22T12:54:00.000-06:00

Thanks to Nicole Christy, PE4life Kansas City Regional Project Manager, for providing this tasty recipe!

I call them Dark Chocolate Haystacks and they are so simple and healthy!

Just two ingredients - dark chocolate chips (lower in sugar and high in antioxidants) and plain Shredded Wheat (nothing but wheat- loads of fiber).

It literally took more time for me to type this recipe than it took to make the treats!

Dark Chocolate Haystacks

- 1 cup of Dark Chocolate Chips
- 2 large Shredded Wheat biscuits

1. Crumble the shredded wheat into a bowl, make sure to get most of the clumps out.

2. Melt the dark chocolate chips in the microwave in a small dish (about 45 seconds then stir, then back in for another 45 seconds tends to do it)

3. Pour the melted chocolate into the shredded wheat bowl with a rubber spatula and mix until all shredded wheat is covered in chocolate.

4. Spoon out onto parchment/wax paper

5. Let cool and solidify at room temp

6. Enjoy!!

New Video!

2010-02-19T10:30:00.001-06:00

Check out our new video!

Embrace the Snow!

2010-02-17T09:15:00.000-06:00

Featuring Guest Blogger: Tim McCord, PE4life Academy Director, Titusville, PA

With snow falling in epic proportions in 49 of our 50 states this year, isn't it time we take advantage of Mother Nature and get our students outside in the snow?

That’s the norm during the winter months at the PE4life Academy Training Center in Titusville, PA. Every winter, for over 30 years, physical education classes have been held outside in this northwest PA community with 6th grade students experiencing lessons in cross-country skiing. The basics are taught in the gymnasium first with outdoor experiences in fields adjacent to Titusville Middle School. A culminating activity is held at a neighboring park where students spend the morning traversing across open fields and up and down small hills.

Students learn not only to enjoy this activity but also that in terms of cardiovascular benefits, cross-country skiing is a front runner. The program is conducted through a partnership between the Titusville Area School District and the Titusville Leisure Services. Equipment has been in the program for years but with Titusville being awarded 2003 PEP Grant , additional ski equipment was purchased to update the existing equipment.

To supplement the cross-country ski program the Titusville PE4life Academy also has introduced their students to snowshoeing. Snowshoes were purchased through a Highmark Healthy High 5 grant, a Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield initiative. Students in 7th and 8th grade participate in snowshoe lessons that include hiking, traversing across snow mounds and even games of “snowshoe whiffle ball.” Snowshoeing is a great low-impact aerobic exercise.

Don’t feel that the winter months mean you have to be confined to the gymnasium for your activities. Follow the lead of the Titusville students and enjoy the snow!

Titusville Area School District in Titusville, Pennsylvania is home of the PE4life Academy Training Center. To learn more about this program visit their website or contact PE4life to schedule a workshop.

PE4life Playlist

2010-02-09T13:47:00.001-06:00

Get up and get moving with some of the PE4life team's favorite workout tunes!

We asked our team their favorite workout tunes - ya know, the ones that make you want to pick up the pace and get that heart pounding! Some didn't want to 'fess up and claim their faves, so here are the tunes we want played loud and proud. Take a brain break, crank up the volume, and MOVE!

See if you can guess which PE4lifer selected what song (leave your guess in the comment section)!

(note, some of these selections/lyrics may not be kid-friendly, so please use your discretion before playing them in a classroom.)

Health bug bites PE4life team!

2010-02-03T11:18:00.000-06:00

It seems inevitable that after awhile of working at PE4life and making it your mission to improve the health and wellbeing of others, it’s only a matter of time before the health bug bites you. And that’s exactly what’s happened around here. Maybe it’s the New Year - new resolutions concept or maybe we’ve all gotten to a point where we’ve allowed ourselves to step back and re-evaluate our priorities. Either way, a health and wellness epidemic has hit the office and it doesn’t look like it’s leaving anytime soon. The majority of our team has taken up a daily fitness routine and although we’re still sneaking the occasional cookie cake (hey, it was Carrie’s birthday!), several staff members, including myself, are re-evaluating what they eat. One team member has even gone vegan!

On any given day at the PE4life office, you’ll find various members of the team bouncing on stability balls at their desks, taking their reading materials to the treadmill, even blistering the freezing cold Missouri air for a quick walk around the block. Yes, we’re practicing what we preach and getting fit! And although I can’t speak for the rest of the team, I can say that it’s positively affecting my life – I have better focus, I’m more confident, and I just FEEL better.

Carrie Gibson, PE4life Event Manager, swaps out her comfy office chair for a bounce on the stability ball. (Note, this isn’t staged at all... she just happened to be visiting the new PE4life website. Really. )

Melanie Sheppard, Marketing Assistant

PE4life Academy Training Center highlighted in NPR story

2010-02-01T14:12:00.000-06:00

Check out an excerpt from this great NPR story highlighting Woodland Elementary School, a PE4life Academy Training Center.

How Revving Up Your Heart Rate, Even A Bit, Pays Off
NPR 2/1/2010

Benefits Beyond The Heart
Nowadays, much of the focus on fitness is about how to exercise to prevent obesity. One school started measuring target heart rate zones as part of an in-school exercise program. And they found it helped more than just the students' physical health.

"[Exercise] should be fun," says principal Craig Rupert of Woodland Elementary School in Kansas, Mo., as he shows off his school's gym, which has been converted into an exercise arcade.

With the help of the national nonprofit group PE4Life, he's pushing to expand physical education. Rupert says by sixth grade, the majority of students do not participate in organized, competitive athletics; their level of activity starts to drop off. The PE4Life model encourages exercise as a form of play.

"It's really about getting the kids to exercise every day," Rupert says.

On a rainy, cold Wednesday afternoon, Rupert shows how his eighth-graders are getting their heart rates up. Student Juan Reynoso cycles through a video racing game called Off-Road.

"The bike is connected to a remote control," Juan explains. "And when I pedal, it makes the car go."

As physical education instructor Bernie Fitzpatrick makes the rounds, she takes a look at Juan's heart rate monitor. Juan and his classmate Kevin Thompson have hit their target zones at about 140 beats per minute. "Keep it up," she says.

"I feel great," says Kevin, as he moves from cycling to a dance game. "And energetic."

Fitzpatrick says the point of wearing the heart-rate monitors is to teach the kids what it feels like to be exercising at the proper pace — about 60 percent of their maximum.

"If you're in the target heart rate zone, you're burning more of the fat you have stored." When people exercise beyond 80 percent of max, the body starts to burn more sugar. "So by keeping them in that, we get them to be more lean and to use up some of that body fat rather than just the candy bar they ate a little while ago."

And, Fitzpatrick says, at Woodland, the students exercise far more frequently than the 50 minutes a week of physical education typical at many schools.

No one has tested the kids at Woodland Elementary to see if the daily exercise has led to specific improvements in academic success, but PE4Life has begun to document academic gains.

The big surprise for administrators at Woodland Elementary: They've noted a significant decrease in aggressive behavior. In-school suspensions have gone down about 60 percent since the program began.

"I've seen that go down quite a bit, because they can expend that energy on the exercise equipment," says Mark Dickerson, who oversees discipline referrals.

"I've always exercised to blow off steam," Dickerson says. But the transformation at the school has surprised him. "I didn't make the connection ... that it can happen to kids, as well."

Read or listen to story in its entirety.

New and Improved Website!

2010-01-28T10:31:00.000-06:00

After many months of work, we're finally ready to reveal our new website! A lot of work went into making it more user-friendly and updating it with current information. We've grown so quickly over the past year, a fresh new website was well overdue.

Some of the new features:

• The Pro Shop is now accessible from every page, making it easy for you to view the products we offer anytime.

• In this social media crazed world, we’ve made it easy to stay connected to PE4life with easy access to our Facebook and Twitter accounts.

• We’ve devoted an entire portion of the site to Events – PE4life past and future events, including the upcoming 2010 Resource Conference, as well as other events relevant to the Physical Education world.

• Coming soon – PE4life on a region-by-region basis, keeping you up-to-date on what’s happening in your area.

Don't worry, we kept the crucial information – recommended websites, funding resources, news articles and information on our Program Support Services.

So, without further ado, check it out! www.pe4life.org

Sign up to receive email updates from PE4life!

2010-01-13T14:30:00.000-06:00

Adventure Education

2010-01-12T12:25:00.000-06:00

Check out this video highlighting schools incorporating adventure education into their PE program. Who wouldn't want to participate in these programs?!

For information about adventure-based education, check out Project Adventure. To schedule a Project Adventure workshop, contact Rachelle Gardner.

A Family Activity for the Holidays

2009-12-21T10:42:00.000-06:00

Guest Blogger: Carrie Gibson, PE4life Event Manager

Ah, yes, Christmas time! So looking forward to the days of lounging at my parents home with the never ending array of goodies, classic Christmas movies (The Christmas Story, Christmas Vacation, you know the ones I’m talking about…) and quality time spent with family. This year, however, I’m mixing it up! Little do they know, they are going to experience an outdoor adventure!

Inspired by Deb Walter’s phenomenal adventure education program in Rogers, AR, I am coordinating a Geocache hunt for my family! This is my first go-round with Geocaching, but I can tell you that we are having a great time setting this up. For those of you who don’t know, Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunt played with GPS devices.

My husband and I are plotting the perfect locations in our small home-town of Marysville, Kansas (think: The historical Pony Express Statue, the City Park, the high school football field, the church where we were married, the golf course and other key landmarks around town). Using longitude and latitude coordinates, we will guide the teams to these locations where they will find little prizes and clues for the next spot.

Each team equipped with a GPS device – which is even easier now since most cell phones have this capability, we are strategically splitting them up into teams. (Of course, keeping careful care to split up those “technically challenged” and those with the most local knowledge.) I will enjoy seeing my 12 year old niece partner with her 60-something grandpa. I’m also eager to see my sister-in-law who grew up in the big city make her way around small-town America on a mad dash for prizes!

It should be a good time! Just hope the weather cooperates and snow doesn’t bury our treasures!

For more information on Geocaching check out this website or this one.

If you want to check out Deb’s program, go here or contact PE4life to learn more!