We are getting near the end of the school year and that means swimming for grades 2-8. Grades 2-5 will swim twice per week with 1 normal day of regular PE instruction. Middle school will swim 3 times per week beginning on May 15. Classes will swim until May 31. The last week of school, classes will pick their favorite games and activities to play. This is a fun way to end the year and make all of our students happy.
I would also like to write about our newest addition to the MJGDS PE Program, the Presidential Fitness Challenge that students in grades 1-8 will be participating in. I will individually test our students in 5 activities. They are push-ups, sit-ups, sit and reach, shuttle run, and 1/2 mile run. Students will get to compete against other boys and girls in the age groups across the U.S. Based on their performance they will earn awards. If they score at or above the 85th percentile in all 5 activities they will earn the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. If they score at or above the 50th percentile on all 5 tests they will earn the National Physical Fitness Award. Finally, if they participate in all 5 activities, but one or more of their scores fall below the 50th percentile they will earn the Participant Physical Fitness Award. I have never run this program, but am looking forward to seeing what our students score and building it into my curriculum.
I was always taught to practice what you preach, so as a PE teacher I wanted to be a model of health. After a tough time in my life last summer filled with personal issues, joint pain, and soul searching, I looked back and reflected on myself. I dedicated myself to include positive qualities that I wanted our students to have. I wanted to be a better role model for them. I am a true believer in positive qualities rubbing off on everyone around you. I started to change my eating habits in the hopes of losing weight to ease my joint pains and changed my exercise habits to be more dedicated to fitness instead of adding more muscle to my body. Many people don’t know, but I am also an A.C.E. certified personal trainer. This helps tremendously in my lessons and allows me to be able to talk more about nutrition and exercise technique in our PE classes. Since the beginning of the school year I have lost 30 pounds of body weight and have alleviated all of my joint pains due to this. I feel great and am able to teach all 25 of my weekly PE classes pain free and super energized.
As an educator, my greatest gift is to be able to help others. If there are individuals out there that need assistance getting started in an exercise program or just have general questions about nutrition, fitness, or exercise please don’t hesitate to ask. I am here to help ALL! Exercise is the cure for so many ailments. Stress, high blood pressure, weight loss, etc. are all controlled through exercise. The completion of an exercise session releases powerful endorphins that flood the body with a feeling of well-being. It is our body’s way of congratulating us by making us feel good. Good luck on your fitness quests and should you need any assistance please stop by my office or email me and ask. I love to help! GO MARLINS!