On one of the two PE days, the students participate in the "Jog Across America" (JAA) program. It is a program that requires effort and motivation. Mrs. Klasila and Mrs. Childs provide motivation in a few different ways and the students provide the effort! They play music while the students run, to help them stay motivated and keep pace. They also provide certificates and beads for accomplishing varying levels of skill and distance. I have come out to the yard on many occasions when the students are receiving their awards and they are beaming with pride in their accomplishments!
This is a wonderful outcome and reward for their effort. Seeing these certificates handed out also motivates some students to give a little extra effort to achieve the same goal. Sometime students may set a goal that is slightly out of reach, i.e., to run a whole mile or more! Along with these lofty goals comes some obstacles as well as what I like to call "good problems".
Students will sometimes give too much effort (example of a good problem) and have side effects conditional to vigorous exercise: light-headed, dizzy and at the worst of times regurgitating their lunch. We do not want students to get sick, but at times with heavy exercise these things occur. We are very lucky to have a support staff at school who are in the office and able to be there for our students should they fall or get sick at PE or at any time throughout the day.
Because our students have PE after lunch, I would like to reiterate to the parents, what the PE teachers stress to the students.
On Jog Across America Days:
- Be sure to drink appropriate amounts of water.
- Eat a nutritious lunch.
- Finish eating your lunch by the first bell, so you have time to digest before the start of PE.
- Wear appropriate shoes that will support your feet and ankles.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Lennon
