Whitson Students Get Active

By Vicki Prendergast, Principal at Whitson Elementary

It has been a remarkable year at Whitson Elementary School in White Salmon! There has been an increased focus on student health - particularly their fitness levels. We held all school fitness activities that began with a Walk Back to School and ended with a Play Day. Each month our PE teacher gave classroom teachers a calendar of Brain Gym or other quick movement activities that they could do to give students a break from academics and get their minds recharged.

As part of our Healthy Habits/Active Minds project, funded by a Healthiest State Grant through the Washington Health Foundation, we wanted to compare the engagement and activity levels of students on the playground if a supervised, organized activity was planned. Previous years we had two playground assistants supervising 100 students during each grade level recess. Students were responsible for choosing an appropriate activity. As might be expected, this can be difficult for some students no matter whether they are in kindergarten or in fourth grade. During soccer, football, 4 square or another group game arguments might break out about the rules or students would get aggressive in their play. We found that with the size of our playgrounds two people alone could not keep everyone playing harmoniously. Some students were unable to choose an activity and would just stand around. As part of the grant project we hired a third person to organize and lead activities on the playground. They also encouraged students who would normally not participate to get involved. The other playground assistants were freed up to interact more with students and more closely watch the other activities happening.

As a result almost all of our students were moving or playing on the equipment or involved in a game. Playground staff encouraged our more stationary students to get up and move. More students could be seen walking around the playground in small groups.

A side benefit of the increased activity was 50% fewer behavioral referrals from the playground. Teachers noted students were ready to transition to academics or lunch more easily after recess than in previous years. Students looked forward to playing more organized activities and felt having the adults supervising more closely cut down on aggressive or bullying behavior. They felt safer!

Recently a local church asked if our school site could be the location for their Day of Service on August 20^th. We have invited the community to participate as well. They will be completing a number of projects, including developing walking paths with distance markers for our two playgrounds. Our Parent Teacher Organization is donating materials and also purchased additional basketball hoops and a ball wall for our old tennis courts. We are very anxious to surprise our kids with this make-over when school resumes August 31^st.

 

Comments

[Jane Palmer]

Congrats on your success! I hope the lessons learned with be replicated in the new school year!

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Students looked forward to playing more organized activities and felt having the adults supervising more closely cut down on aggressive or bullying behavior. They felt safer!

[catheters]

When you walk into Whitson Elementary it is clear the focus is on children. From students’ matted and framed art in the halls, the student murals throughout the building, and the welcoming smiles in each room, children are a priority.