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Watertown Middle School lauded for “best in country” PE program
One dozen schools across the
country have been named as the charter STARS recipients in recognition of
their outstanding physical education programs by the National Association for
Sport and Physical Education (NASPE). STARS recognize a school’s total
physical education program as the whole department meets the criteria of the
National Standards for K-12 Physical Education on a progressively more
challenging ascent toward excellence. Among the 12 schools that were honored
April 1 in New Orleans at the National Convention of the American Alliance for
Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) is
Watertown
Middle School.
The list of schools includes:
STAR Level 3
-
Assumption Catholic School, Middle Level, Bellingham, WA
-
Victor High School, Victor, NY
STAR Level 2
-
Assumption Catholic School, Elementary Level, Bellingham, WA
-
Willard L. Bowman Elementary School, Anchorage, AK
-
Johnson Elementary School, Franklin, TN
- M.C.
Miller Middle School, Lake Katrine, NY
-
Ogletree Elementary School, Auburn, AL
-
Watertown
Middle School,
Watertown,
SD
Star Level 1
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Fleetwood Elementary School, Mount Laurel, NJ
-
Seaholm High School, Birmingham, MI
-
Turkey Creek Middle School, Plant City, FL
- Verde
Elementary School, Boca Raton, FL
According to NASPE President George Graham of
Pennsylvania State
University, “We are confident that our recognized STARS schools will be the
model for other schools to emulate. There is growing evidence that supports
the relationship between health-related fitness and academic achievement.
Healthy children learn better and systematic movement activities facilitate
cognitive development. NASPE believes that a quality school physical education
program is the foundation for helping ALL children develop the skills,
knowledge, and confidence necessary to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
By improving the quality of school physical education programs across the
country we will have a direct effect on the health of America’s children.”
NASPE
Executive Director Charlene Burgeson explained that the criteria for this
award are based on the essential elements necessary for a quality physical
education program – content based on the National Standards for Physical
Education, educationally and developmentally appropriate instructional
strategies and teaching skills, adequate facilities and equipment that are
safe and appropriate for the age and abilities of the students and that enable
the students to participate in the maximum amount of active time on task, and
classes taught by licensed physical educators, among others. Certificates,
plaques and banners will be awarded at the various levels including product
coupons from Flaghouse, the official equipment sponsor of the NASPE STARS
program. Programs may continually strive for on-going improvement and higher
levels of recognition for their physical education program.
For more information about how your physical education
program can apply to become a STARS school, visit the NASPE website at
www.naspeinfo.org or contact Diane Raynes at 1-800-213-7193, extension 414
or
draynes@aahperd.org. Physical education departments can download the
information on the STARS program, application information and form, criteria,
and suggestions for providing evidence that the criteria have been met. The
next deadline to apply for STARS is
August 1, 2004.
Information about the National Association
for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) can be found on the Internet
at
www.naspeinfo.org. NASPE, which has
been setting the standard for the profession for over 30 years, is the largest
of the six national associations of
the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation &
Dance (AAHPERD). A nonprofit membership
organization of over 18,000 professionals in the fitness and physical activity
fields, NASPE is the only national association dedicated to strengthening
basic knowledge about sport and physical education among professionals and the
general public. Putting that knowledge into action in schools and communities
across the nation is critical to improved academic performance, social reform
and the health of individuals. |
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