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PE4life Launches Phase Two of Major Expansion Project in KC Metro Area
Check out the first seven schools to be selected.
Plans to provide services to 40 additional schools over the next three years. Read the official press release.
PE4life is excited to announce Phase Two of our Kansas City Metro Project. We will expand our services to 40 additional schools over the next three years (exact number dependent upon available funding). We’re looking for schools that are ready and willing to make changes to improve their physical education programs and increase opportunities for physical activity, but could benefit from assistance with inspiration, direction, and resources to realize your vision.
For the past three years, PE4life has provided services to over 70 of Kansas City’s Urban Core schools. These schools have made tremendous improvements in their programs, which are demonstrated in the following statistics:
• 94 percent of trained schools have shown progress or demonstrated partial integration of PE4life Core Principles;
• 63 percent of schools have enhanced P.E. equipment;
• 97 percent of schools conduct some form of individual student assessment;
• 63 percent of schools incorporate technology into their PE programs; and
• 55 percent of schools have some form of community outreach.
PE4life believes all school children deserve the benefits of a quality PE program as part of their overall education. PE4life program services are designed to educate, empower and inspire school-based teams to develop quality PE and physical activity opportunities for youth, and to view wellness as a critical component of the educational process. Each school will receive the following PE4life program support services:
PE4life Implementation Workshop – A two day workshop with observations at PE4life model program site(s). The workshop is an essential first step in the change process. The overall goal is to inspire and educate a school’s wellness team through modeling and team discussion. PE4life demonstrates the need for and value of quality physical education and activity, and identifies the key components of a quality school-wide physical activity program. Objectives of the workshop include creating a common vision among key players in a school, assisting in the formulation of specific goals and the development of an action plan to reach these goals, identifying the elements of a quality P.E. program and assessing current program status, and introducing and demonstrating the integration of PE4life Core Principles.
On-going Coaching and Support – Coaching and support to provide feedback and guidance on progress toward achievement of program goal(s) over three academic semesters. Support is provided through a variety of methods including in-person visits, email, website links and access, newsletters, webinar and video conferencing. Objectives include PE4life direct assistance in the following areas: program promotion to garner administrative, community and parental support; successful implementation of the action/project plan; and identifying areas for improvement and appropriate resources to meet individual needs.
Professional Development – Schools will have an opportunity to attend professional development in-services that will be selected based on the needs of the schools participating in the project. Stipends will be provided to each school to defray substitute teacher and/or travel costs.
PE Equipment Awards - PE4life will provide funding for fundamental, PE-specific equipment of up to $10,000 for each school that demonstrates measurable progress toward the integration of PE4life Core Principles. Fundamental equipment typically includes pedometers, pulse sticks, heart rate monitors, small skill activity equipment and other programming tools.
PE4life works with schools and communities to increase quality physical education and physical activity opportunities for youth, thereby increasing the likelihood of lifelong physical activity participation, resulting in improved health and well being. PE4life’s goals for the schools they work with are to:
• Increase physical education professionals’ awareness of and access to current physical education best practices and resources.
• Work with schools to increase quality P.E. and physical activity opportunities for students
• Encourage schools to establish or expand community partnerships that enhance physical activity and other wellness opportunities for students and that provide support for programming.
• Increase awareness among all school personnel and community stakeholders of the benefits of physical activity and quality physical education programs.
• Effect positive school wellness policy changes at the local, state and national level.
Interested in applying? To submit your application please download the form here, complete it, and email it with all required signatures to programsupport@PE4life.org. Applications are due November 1st.
Initial funding for this project is being provided by the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation and Bank of America, as trustee of the John W. and Effie E. Speas Memorial Trust. PE4life is actively seeking additional funding partners to support this initiative. To help improve the wellness of children across the Kansas City metro area through this important and worthy project, please contact Jason Robinson, PE4life’s Development Director, at jrobinson@pe4life.org.
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Professional Development
We're offering a series of FREE professional development opportunities in Kansas City through funding provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City. Check back soon for the next opportunity!
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Media
Watch PE4life's Ashley Davies and Jennifer Straub in 'Generation XL2: Making the Grade for Physical Education.' Listen as they discuss best practices and breaking the cycle of childhood obesity through physical education.
Battle of the bulge at Olathe NW High School
OLATHE, Kansas - A new study shows obesity is up 10 percent in U.S. children and double among Kansas teens. A local district is tackling the problem head on.
PE time at Olathe Northwest High School is a time to let loose and have fun. But make no mistake, exercise here is serious business. Electronic gear monitors the kids’ cardio activity. They wear it when they run and then find out if they ran hard enough. Read more.