Be a 50 Million Strong by 2029 Champion – Part 1

(Editor’s Note: This is the first of a three-part series in which Angela shares the strategies that she has used to get her students physically active and healthy. Be sure to check back in the next issue to learn about additional strategies.)

According to the CDC, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years in the United States (CDC, 2015). SHAPE America’s recently announced 50 million strong by 2029 goal, provides health and physical educators with the unifying focus to get all kids in the United States healthy and physically active by the time currently-entering preschoolers graduate from high school in 2029. Although it may seem a lofty goal, I believe with determination, imagination, and a collaborative effort, as a profession we can and will succeed.

I have always appreciated a good challenge. SHAPE America’s 50 million strong goal dares me to dig deep and focus my efforts to reach a target that will change our profession. As an educator, I want to do my part. 50 million strong by 2029 provides hope and encouragement for those who want to see change.

What’s your number?

50 million is a big number. Getting every school-attending student in the country physically active and healthy is going to be quite a mission. We all need to do our part. For me personally, my number is 600,000. That’s approximately the number of students enrolled in Utah schools. I work indirectly with this number of students. As Past-President of the Utah Association for Physical Education, Health, Recreation and Dance (UAHPERD), it’s my goal to provide quality professional development to physical activity educators, and advocate for more physical activity opportunities in schools. I want to inspire and encourage other educators to be confident in reaching their goal of promoting lifelong health and physical activity to the students they teach.

What advice would you give to other educators who want to be 50 million Strong by 2029 Champions?

1. First, you must truly believe that the goal of 50 Million Strong by 2029 is attainable. If we all focus on the number of students we are personally reaching, together we can succeed.
2. Never settle for a mediocre health and physical education program that is not fully focused on promoting physical activity and making healthy lifestyle choices. Strive to have an amazing program that you can be proud of. Make it your personal goal to add a new activity to your program each year that will benefit your students.
3. Share with others. Share your successes and pitfalls. Sharing inspires others.
4. Be an example. Live a healthy lifestyle yourself.

I taught physical education for many years at Travis Elementary in Houston, TX. As a physical educator my mission has always been to communicate the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle to my students. I believe this is successfully accomplished by involving the entire village. Below are a few examples of the activities that were part of my physical education program.

Physical Education
I have chosen to share events that are common to a physical education program. When I decided to incorporate a coordinated approach in my program, I realized the key was to take what I was already doing well in my physical education class and find opportunities to get parents, staff, and the community involved.

My challenge to you is to examine the events already in your program and focus on adding the parent, community, and staff component. You will be amazed at the support!

 

Travis Students Health Fair
Annually, Travis students hosted a health fair for parents, students, and the community. Students in the upper grades (3-5) taught the students in the lower grades (Pre-K-2) about the body, the importance of exercise, and nutrition. Community organizations set up informational booths to help promote the idea of a healthy lifestyle.

Benefits:
1. As students prepare for the health fair, you can assess what your students in the upper grades (3-5) are learning in your class.
2. The students are excited to share what they have learned with the younger students and take pride in sharing.
3. Students have the opportunity to practice public speaking.
4. Parents have the opportunity to hear about and see the content that is taught in physical education class.
5. Parents receive important information from local community health organizations.

Suggestions:
1. Remember your students are teaching important health information. Make sure they are given enough time to learn and be comfortable sharing the content.
2. Advertise to your community health organizations early. I have found that most community health organizations welcome the opportunity to share.
3. Make sure the date and time of the event is on the school calendar. It is also a good idea to advertise the event early in the school newsletter, or other forms of parent communication.

Field Day
One of the most eagerly anticipated events for Travis Elementary kids was our field day. Field day was not just for the students but the entire community. Faculty, parents, and students enjoyed a day of fun activities and community building. The opening ceremony began with a field day pledge and the reading of the “No Place for Hate” promise. A teacher from each team would carry a torch around the track that symbolized their team was ready to participate in the games. The principal then carried a torch with all the field day colors to represent that the Travis Tigers were ready to begin. Concluding the event, the closing ceremony was a crowd favorite as there was often a parent vs. teacher relay race around the track!

Benefits:
1. It’s an opportunity to get your students, faculty, parents, and community physically active at the same time!
2. Great way to end a school year!
3. School unity

Suggestions:
1. Don’t plan a field day at the last minute…Prepare. Students look forward to field day. Make field day exciting!
2. Your field day activities should be simple and fun. This will cut down on confusion.
3. Make sure you have plenty of help for set-up and during the event.
4. An element of school unity is important. At Travis, the students really enjoyed the torch carrying and reading the pledge.
5. Get the faculty and parents involved. Students love to see their teachers and parents being physically active.
6. Make sure the date and time of the event is on the school calendar. It is also a good idea to advertise the event early in the school newsletter, or other forms of parent communication.
7. Have fun! Field day is not a good day to be stressed.

Jump Rope for Heart
All Travis students participated in the annual Jump Rope for Heart event. Students especially enjoyed the closing ceremony, where their teachers participated in a “Who can jump rope for the longest time?” competition to earn a set of jump ropes for their class.

Benefits:
1. Students have the opportunity to see their teachers engaging in physical activity.
2. Teachers become more knowledgeable about the goal of programs such as Jump Rope for Heart.
3. Fun way to get teachers involved. An added bonus is that the teachers have fun jumping rope together.

Suggestions:
1. IMPORTANT: Present the idea to your faculty before the event. If a teacher cannot participate, then you will have time to find a substitution.
2. It may be fun to also incorporate a parent “Who can jump the longest time?” competition or a “Can you jump longer than your kid?” competition. It never hurts to have the parents participate in physical activity.
3. Make sure the date and time of the event is on the school calendar. It is also a good idea to advertise the event early in the school newsletter, or other forms of parent communication.

Physical Education Teacher for the Day
Travis Elementary students were given the opportunity to become the PE Teacher for the day by logging in the most physical activity time at home. Students were asked to turn in sheets during each physical education class to earn points. The “PE teacher” plans the PE classes for an entire day.

Benefits:
1. Promotion of at-home physical activity that can involve parents.
2. Students are motivated by their peers’ efforts and achievements.

Suggestions:
1. Make sure to have a definite start and end date.
2. Make sure to have a system of how to keep track of points. Also make sure there are clear guidelines for sheets that are brought in late.
3. Discuss with your students what constitutes physical activity.
4. You could give extra points if students are physically active with families. Kids enjoy being physically active with their families.
5. Make sure the event is on the school calendar. Also communicate with parents.
6. “PE teacher of the day” can also be an auction item. At Travis it was often one of the most popular auction items. Your PTA will appreciate it!

Now is the time to stand united in our profession. Let’s step up to the challenge and all strive to be 50 million strong by 2029!

Next issue, I will share information about the opportunities I created before, during, and after school to get my kids active and healthy.