Author: Angela Heinemann

Be a 50 Million Strong by 2029 Champion – Part 3

(Editor’s Note: This is part three of a three-part series in which Angela shares the strategies that she has used to get her students physically active and healthy. Be sure to check the other issues of pelinks4u to learn about additional strategies.)

A Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) is a multi-component approach used to provide students with opportunities to be physically active, achieve the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day, and to encourage lifelong physical activity (CDC, 2015). The five components of a CSPAP include: quality physical education, physical activity before, during, and after school, staff involvement, and family and community engagement.

Although all components of a CSPAP are important, staff involvement and family and community engagement are often the least implemented. In my experience as a physical educator, these two components were the most challenging to implement, but worth the time and effort. The support of family, staff, and community is imperative in promoting physical activity. I challenge you to implement these two components. You will be amazed by the amount of support you receive from parents, community, and staff!

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Be a 50 Million Strong by 2029 Champion – Part 2

(Editor’s Note: This is the second of a three-part series in which Angela shares the strategies that she has used to get her students physically active and healthy. Be sure to check the other issues of pelinks4u to learn about additional strategies.)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that children and adolescents aged 6-17 participate in 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day (CDC, 2015). In recent years schools have been called upon to expand their efforts to increase physical activity opportunities. In the last issue, I shared some of the ways that I helped my school reach these goals. I gave details about events that took place in my physical education program, which helped motivate my students to be more physically active. Although I found success in my physical education program in getting kids more active, I realized to help the children I taught reach the goal of 60 minutes a day, they would need more time to be physically active outside of my physical education class. Here are some examples of the ways I achieved this before, during, and after school.

Physical Activity During School

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Be a 50 Million Strong by 2029 Champion – Part 1

(Editor’s Note: This is the first of a three-part series in which Angela shares the strategies that she has used to get her students physically active and healthy. Be sure to check back in the next issue to learn about additional strategies.)

According to the CDC, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years in the United States (CDC, 2015). SHAPE America’s recently announced 50 million strong by 2029 goal, provides health and physical educators with the unifying focus to get all kids in the United States healthy and physically active by the time currently-entering preschoolers graduate from high school in 2029. Although it may seem a lofty goal, I believe with determination, imagination, and a collaborative effort, as a profession we can and will succeed.

50ms

I have always appreciated a good challenge. SHAPE America’s 50 million strong goal dares me to dig deep and focus my efforts to reach a target that will change our profession. As an educator, I want to do my part. 50 million strong by 2029 provides hope and encouragement for those who want to see change.

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