School physical education classes are the ideal site for the promotion of regular physical activity because the greatest numbers of elementary school children participate in some kind of physical education program. This ideal situation also provides the opportunity for the physical education teacher to motivate young people to be more active beyond the physical education class.

Philosophy of Physical Education
Physical Education in the public schools is vital to children's health in this century. Physical education classes must address the sport related, skill related and health related needs of children and adolescents today. Emphasis is being put on health related issues because of the obesity epidemic in the nation.

However, I do not believe that total elimination of sport and skill related activities would serve the ultimate goal of physical education that is to motivate children and adolescents to a lifestyle of physical activity. Physical education teachers, parents and school staff must combine their efforts to help to motivate young people in the direction of enjoyment of many different activities with the goal of increased physical activity as an adult.

Beyond Physical Education Programming
I have not yet fully incorporated the station challenges. Each year I include a few more activities from the PFA curriculum. However, there are many before school and recess health related activities and competitive challenges available for the students. A Sierra Vista Scorpions Runner's Club is supervised during the children's lunch recess. There are over 300 children who faithfully run at least one lap (1/4 mile) during this time. Every grade level is well represented. The children are issued a punch card. When they complete a lap, it is marked on the card. As the children accumulate mileage, awards are given for each mile run. There are approximately 15 students who are approaching the 75-mile mark at the time I am writing this letter. The Runner's club was covered by the Albuquerque Westside Journal on Tuesday, November 28.

Rock wall climbing is available every day before school. There are approximately 30-35 children who consistently show up on a daily basis to climb. During this time, other children come to the gym to practice jump rope skills, and to practice Speed Stack cup stacking. Several of the Runner's Club members also run before school. Children are come to the gym to practice dances that they are taught during physical education classes.

Throughout the year, challenges are made available to children who wish to participate. The Pepsi Punt, Pass and Kick Challenge, in which both of our school representatives placed first in their age categories in the state competition is available during the fall of each year. A rope-climbing contest takes place for each grade level boys and girls in January.

The President's Fitness Challenge is implemented for first through fifth grades each year. Awards are presented to the winners at the end of the school year. School fitness record breakers (at least two are broken each year) are awarded medals at the end of the year. I am very happy with our 4th and 5th grade scores for the mile this year. More than 1/3 of the children passed. Usually there are 12-15 % of the kids who passed.

A "Little Leapers" award is presented at the end of each year to Kindergarten students who have learned to jump rope with proper form and cadence. Star student awards are often presented to students who display exceptional character and effort throughout the year. I have adapted several of the challenges to accommodate special needs students.

I also organize a school wide K-5 bowling field trip each year.  2007 will see the first school-wide "Happy Hearts," a fun run for the entire school, children staff and families. I have also developed a Sierra Vista Elementary School Physical Education website. The Website is used to publish the children's accomplishments, inform the community about how to support their children in their activity and social endeavors and to make available information about extracurricular activities and clubs that the children may join.