Final year of $3 million PEP grant
March 15, 2016
Stillwater was the only school in Minnesota and one of 60 in the country to get the Carol M. White Physical Education Program grant in 2013. They say the third time is a charm, but it was the fourth time the district applied.
The grant gives $2 million over the course of three years and this is the final year. The program has three goals: improve physical education, increase nutrition and develop a way to monitor success. Part of the initiative was to give PE teachers more opportunities.
“Some of our teachers hadn’t gone to a professional development opportunity for almost 19 years so that part was really important,” PEP grant coordinator Deb Van Klei said. Physical education teacher Mark Elmer added “[the PE teachers] have had a lot of training in different techniques.”
There’s a lot of excitement in the phy-ed department because there’s a lot of new cool equipment. Kids are able to track what their heart rates are just by looking at a board.
— Ryan Bartosiewski
Physical education
The idea is that PE does not just make students healthier and fit, but that the benefits of physical activity extend into the classroom.
“Out of that 40 minute class period at least 20 minutes should be at a moderate or vigorous level so when you go to your next class, you’re really absorbing information and staying focused,” Van Klei said.
With more training and new equipment, like pedometers and heart rate monitors, for teachers, the PE and health programs have had great success.
“There’s a lot of excitement in the phy ed department because there’s a lot of new cool equipment. Kids are able to track what their heart rates are just by looking at a board,“ PE teacher Ryan Bartosiewski said.
Due to the improvements and cutting edge curriculum, other districts are looking at Stillwater as a model for their classes.
“We had about 15 schools visit our PE program from other school districts to see what we’re doing,” Van Klei said. “We will as of April, presented at three national conventions,” she added.
Nutrition
Another big part of the grant and HealthyMOVES initiative is nutrition. Just as PE has effects in the classroom, nutrition does too. This argument was made in defense of disallowing donuts during BLAST week.
“I’m sure there were questions about donuts, but if we’re truly about improving academics, what you fuel your brain with matters,” Van Klei said.
Part of the work being done with nutrition is in the lunchroom. The renovations for 2017 will bring a remodeling of the cafeteria and with a new nutrition supervisor, Julie Powers, the menu could also get remodeled.
“We’re working with her to look at lunches, our vending machines and what we offer during the day,” Van Klei said. “We would love to start a student advisory group that gets to have a voice,” she added.
The Future
The hope is that the projects from the PEP grant will have an impact in the future and in students’ entire lives. Despite the money running out, the district will still promote health and wellness.
“They say the more basic motor skills a person has, the more likely they are physically active later in life,” Van Klei said. “I don’t know if we’re going to get there, but what if we brought kayaking or canoes into our curriculum?”
Jimmy thomson • May 6, 2016 at 1:43 pm
This article is full of very necessary info. I think it is great how it was broken down into the 3 categories.
Nick Carlson • Mar 29, 2016 at 10:30 pm
Very informative article. This grant is a big deal at our school and you took the time to research the facts and interview the people responsible for this grant which really made this informative. I enjoyed how you mentioned that not only will there be change at this school because of the grant but will inspire other schools around the nation to do so too. Your diction and word choice is easily understandable which allows people to receive the message and information well. Another part I enjoyed is how even though you included the hard numbers of the grant you kept the article amusing and how this grant can bring health but fun as well to the students. Informative and enjoyable.
Matt Johnson • Mar 29, 2016 at 9:46 pm
2 million over the span of 3 years is a lot. I hope they can improve the school lunches big time with all this money….. great story and liked how your photos were from all different settings within and out of the high school.