Tommy's Road receives physical education grant
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 15, 2005 2:01 AM
Tommy's Road Elementary School has received a $2,500 grant to enhance its physical education program.
The grant, from the American Association of Health, P.E., Recreation and Dance, was awarded to Sheila Wolfe, a physical education teacher who is now the school's assistant principal. It funds $1,200 in equipment and $1,300 in professional development in physical education.
As part of the grant, Ms. Wolfe received a five-day all-expense-paid trip to Chicago to receive the award. Only 15 awards were presented for schools across the nation.
While a physical education teacher, Ms. Wolfe taught 642 students independently. To encourage the value of life-long physical activity, to include health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and positive social interaction, she exchanged her lunch/planning time two days a week to teach an enrichment dance class to 252 fourth and fifth grade students. Integration of core subjects into the physical education program ensures students an understanding of body, mind and spirit connectivity.
She also provided staff development training in physical activities to 52 staff members on a bi-monthly basis to reinforce core subjects and to create an atmosphere of "oneness" and an attitude of teaching the "whole" child.
As part of the money she received, she plans to purchase grade level sets of equipment, such as juggling scarves, body balls, playground balls, hula hoops and pedometers. The goal is for trained teachers to use the items on days without the PE specialist. This will encourage all teachers to take responsibility in helping to implement the "Healthy Active Children's Policy."
She said she sees that as a supplement to recess as staff training and equipment availability will increase physical activity, decrease discipline referrals and encourage life-long physical activity through positive role modeling by staff.