Voice of the Mid-Columbia | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland, Wash. |
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closeWednesday, Dec. 10, 2008
Kennewick School District P.E. to beef up
By Sara Schilling, Herald staff writer
KENNEWICK -- Physical education in the Kennewick School District is getting a facelift thanks to a $750,000 federal grant.
The three-year Carol M. White Physical Education Program research grant from the U.S. Department of Education is paying for new K-12 curriculum, equipment and professional development for staff.
It also will provide more fitness activities outside of class because lessons will be integrated into the YMCA after-school programs that are in all of the district's elementary schools.
"It's really wonderful to have these funds to be able to do (these things) and dream for the future," said Bev Henderson, assessment and staff development coordinator for the district.
The new curriculum is called Five for Life and focuses on the five components of fitness, according to information from the district. The components are cardio respiratory endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and body composition.
It already has been implemented and includes lessons on health along with the traditional games and team sports taught in P.E., Henderson said. The goal is to encourage lifelong health and fitness, she said.
"(Students) are learning to play games and sports, but they're (also) spending more time learning about fitness," she said.
The curriculum fulfills state requirements for health and fitness education.
Professional development for staff will be held throughout the three years of the grant. Some teacher training already has happened, Henderson said.
As for new fitness equipment, the district already has received some items, including heart rate monitors. The grant also will provide for bigger items, such as elliptical trainers, spinners and recumbent bikes, the district said.
The district will be collecting fitness data as part of the research grant.
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