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

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!

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

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!