February 2008

Fostering Excellence in Physical Education A nationwide movement toward health and wellness has called attention to the skyrocketing rates of obesity in youth. Educating children about the importance of a healthy mind and body not only has an impact on the decisions they make today about their health but also helps stave off debilitating disease later in life. The Foundation’s current campaign has funding designated to support health and wellness programs for all grade levels at the elementary schools. Dickie Van Breene, Principal at Richmond Street School, recently hired Debby Martin as Richmond School’s part-time P.E. Specialist. “The P.E. program is excellent,” said Van Breene. “Debby does all kinds of activities and exercises with the children and also teaches about nutrition on rainy days. She has inspired an overall greater emphasis on good health.” Martin comes to the District with a Master’s degree in P.E. and close to twenty years of experience. She has a strong grasp on how to teach children the importance of physical activity and maintaining a healthy body. Her training furthers her mission to teach children not only how to participate and play sports but also provide them with the confidence to try things they always believed they could not do. She utilizes activities that are suitable for the different grade levels, spending time with younger students on motor skills and movement patterns required for a variety of physical activities. With the older grade levels she teaches similar skills and movements but shows kids how to use them while participating in various sports and activities. Recently, fifth grade students have been learning how to play field hockey, while the younger kids have been working on a jump rope unit with skill cards that they can check off once they’ve completed each task. In teaching new skills, Martin says children frequently come to her saying they can’t do something. She then has the opportunity to explain the difference between being a novice and being experienced at a particular skill or sport. “Some kids have been throwing a football since they were very little because someone showed them how. When you’re a novice, it just means no one has ever shown you how to do it. When I break it down and teach the skill, just about any child can learn how to throw a spiral,” she explains. Martin teaches practice, perseverance, and self-confidence and explains to her students that just because they think they are bad at something doesn’t mean they cannot learn. She encourages them to try new things and find out what they like. She also challenges those who have natural abilities in a particular sport to show good sportsmanship when they try an athletic activity that’s new to them. This often gives her students an understanding of what it’s like to be a novice. “I also teach kids that physical education is a subject area they can learn about just like math or reading. It’s part of a well-rounded education,” she shares, “and they don’t get to say ‘I don’t want to do this’ to just because they think they aren’t good at it.” It’s an opportunity to build character and teach kids that even if they aren’t the best, they can have fun and enjoy participating. This year’s Fostering Excellence in Education grant ensures that elementary children have the opportunity for a well-balanced education, including physical education and wellness. Principal Van Breene says it would be ideal to have a full-time P.E. teacher, but with the state budget the way it is today, she’s encouraged by what the Foundation is currently providing for her school. “We are happy to have Debby Martin and are very thankful and appreciative of the Foundation and all the parents who donate because it makes such a difference in the kids’ educational experience,” she says.