Calendar of Upcoming Events

Banquet at Tom Ham's Lighthouse - May 6th

Come join us May 6th at Tom Ham's Lighthouse for our annual CAHPERD 47-142 Awards banquet. R.S.V.P. by contacting Lynn Barnes-Wallace at Hage Elementary by April 29th.

Letter Writing Campaign

Paula Kun, Director of Communications of NASPE, has asked physical educators to write a letter to their local newspaper editor that champions our ideal of quality daily physical education. Here is a sample letter she has sent along:

(SAMPLE LETTER TO THE EDITOR - PLEASE SEND TO YOUR LOCAL DAILY AND WEEKLY NEWSPAPER)


May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

Dear Letter to the Editor:
I am writing to express my critical concern about our children in (name of your state). May, National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, is a perfect opportunity to remind everyone about the importance of quality school physical education programs for every child in America. While I support President Bush's efforts to improve education as reflected in the No Child Left Behind Elementary and Secondary Education Act (NCLB), I am very concerned that the focused accountability for achievement in math and English/language arts through high stakes tests limits the potential for true, comprehensive reform in education.
Quality health education and physical education programs in all k-12 schools provide the foundation for healthy, active lifestyles that support all learning and ensure success in all future pursuits. While families and communities play an important role in the prevention of obesity and other health risks, schools must help ALL children develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Many children will be left behind if they do not:
· learn how to achieve and maintain health-related fitness and other healthy lifestyle behaviors
· have opportunities to explore their unique potential
· gain an understanding and appreciation of their responsibilities as citizens, and
· develop character traits to help them make good decisions about positive behaviors that support their well-being.
In addition, while I support President Bush's call for "highly qualified teachers," I encourage support of "highly qualified teachers" in health and physical education as well as the subject areas currently identified in No Child Left Behind.
I urge policymakers, school administrators, teachers and families to join together to provide a balanced and comprehensive education of the whole child for life in the 21st century.
Sincerely,

(Your name and school)

Traversing wall at Silvergate Elementary, teaching home of Geoff McCloud. Read McCloud's Pearls of Wisdom