Since 2006, we at Penns Manor Elementary
continue to incorporate PFA activities/challenges in our
physical education classes. The
kids are motivated to try their best to increase their fitness
levels. Chart
and Challenge with the PFA outdoor circuit, and indoor action activities
like PFA breakout, PFA ball, cup, scarf-quickness/strength activity,
and PFA tennis ball bounce/catch-workout with fun music, keep the
kids smiling and active. I have incorporated different tasks to
go along with the fitness cup building...which the
kids love. An example is dribbling balls to a basketball
hoop and taking a shot. If they make it, they get 5 extra
cups to build with. We’ve done large group cup builds
to encourage creativity, problem solving, and positive social skills.
We are fortunate to have a beautiful nature trail in the wooded
area between our high school and elementary building. In the fall
and spring we take advantage of hiking the trail. The students
enjoy the hike through nature, going over bridges, logs, and using
stepping stones to navigate through the various trails. Sometimes
we use our digi-walkers to count our steps and give them a real picture
of what they are accomplishing in just forty minutes. Some
days we end up at the high school track, then jog a few laps and
hike back through the woods. What fun!
This winter we began a voluntary walking program each Friday. We
call it “Fit Friday”. Students get off the bus
and come to the gym or multi-purpose room to walk for about thirty
minutes. We pump up the music and the kids walk and talk. This
is a break from the sustained silent reading and computer lab programs
done Monday through Thursday.It has been very well attended. A
great way to start our day and illustrate fitness for life.
Monday through Thursday, Action Lab takes place in the gym for
kindergarten students. Progression stations are set up that include activities
that encourage integrating the senses, vestibular development, visual
development and tracking, and higher level thinking skills. The
purpose is to stimulate the brain for learning. We incorporate
academics into the movements by writing letters with our feet on
the pathway mat, and reading sight words as we balance to walk across
a ladder. The kindergarten teachers assist and support me
in this program.
We strive at Penns Manor to encourage volunteerism and service
to others. Our annual jump rope and hoops for heart event is one
way we can physically benefit and give to others. Along with
collecting pledge money, all students have the opportunity to buy “kindness
grams”, cards with a positive message to give to others. Cost
is a quarter each. We sell them during our jump rope/hoops
for heart week and deliver them for Valentine’s Day. This
year we sold 1,651 kindness grams. Another way to say we care! I’m
proud to say we raised $1,640.92 for the American Heart Association.
Another charity, close to my heart, is the American Cancer Society. I
have captained our faculty/staff Relay for Life Team the past ten
years. But this year in particular, cancer has touched my
family. This
past winter, within a few weeks of each other, I lost my
sister-in-law and father-in-law to cancer. I’ve seen
the devastating effects of this disease, and know we must fight
for a cure. One
way, is to help raise funds for research. Each year we do
this through such activities as, monthly faculty bake sales,
pot luck luncheons, dress down days, and a Chinese auction. We
then walk in the Relay in May. We were able to raise over $1,500.
this year.
We continue to promote our character education program through
students participating in fun, physical, cooperative games and
activities based on the character trait of the month. This
is our starfish day...referring to how each of us can make
a difference in the lives of others. Our luau is fast approaching,
our reward for positive behavior throughout the school year. Some
of our activities include: field games-lei relay, sack race, hurdles,
and three legged race. The water games are the favorite-Bahama
Blast, water balloon toss, and bucket brigade. We have beach
volleyball, flag tag, and team tug of war. Fun activities
like a
giant blow up slide in the gym and a DJ for dancing outside is
part of our day. Students really look forward to this end
of the year celebration.
Of course, I’m really looking forward to summer. A
time to refresh, relax, and enjoy family fun activities. I’m
an avid golfer-not a great one! My husband , Tom and I play
a lot of golf together. We belong to a club locally, and we like
to try different courses on our travels to visit our children. We
have a son and daughter, Michael and Christina, who we
will get to golf with this summer. They are both Penn State grads,
along with my husband…so we are Nittany Lion fans! Michael
lives and works in State College, PA. for an engineering firm. Christina
is a graduate student studying physical therapy at Duke Univ.
in North Carolina. Go Blue Devils! I can’t wait to
spend some time with her this summer in N.C. We love to vacation
at the beach, and we’ll all meet in July for a fun week together.
Back to school will come quickly, but I’m so fortunate that
I enjoy my work. With Project Fit America, I’m given
the opportunity to help kids make strides in increasing their fitness
levels. Thanks PFA!
