Current Unit: Jump Rope
Final Assessment (3rd and 4th graders only): Flexed arm hang-upper body strength-Feb 27-29th 


February is national heart month. The students are learning how the heart works and ways that they can protect and strengthen their hearts.

Jump Rope for Heart, Feb 20th and 21st, is coming soon during the regular PE class. Jump Rope for Heart is a community service learning program of the American Heart Association. The students will practice jump-roping skills while learning how nutrition and exercise can help them live longer, healthier lives. Your family will have the opportunity to make donations to the AHA to help fight the nation's leading cause of death, heart disease. At OUES on Feb.20th and 21st, the students will demonstrate their skills for their families. In addition, you will be able to participate with your child in jumping activity stations. Mark your calendars now!!! Donation envelopes are due on 2/21. If 30 people register online and each sends out 10 emails (total 300), OUES can earn $100 to US Games for new equipment!


Jogging Club Practice Dates: 2/7, 2/21, 3/6
The students are learning how to set fitness goals. Each member wrote an exercise goal or one specific to our upcoming club race in the spring. We will take a look back at those at the end of the season. In order to improve endurance, it is important to consistently attend practice as well as maintain regular physical activity at home.


SPARK PE is here! As a 2011 grant recipient, I received materials from the Carroll Education Foundation for SPARK PE, a research based physical education program. The students will be participating in new activities and learning opportunities over the course of the remaining school year and on into the future. I have a new binder stacked with fun games as well as access to online resources.
Check out some sample lessons and other information at http://www.sparkpe.org/.


Box Tops: OUES just deposited a check for over $900 resulting from our March Box Tops collection. Way to go team! In addition, I am preparing to mail a package with over $500 worth of Box Tops. Keep purchasing those products and collecting. Every dime makes a difference; I just did not realize how valuable little pieces of cardboard are! Thank you for participating and making the effort to cut them for the school.


Field Day: Save the date for May 25th! It will be here before we know it. AT DRAGON STADIUM-AWESOME!!!

Happy 2012! I am excited to see everyone back at school. I hope you had a joyous holiday season with your family.


Current activity unit: Tennis


Upcoming Fitness assessment: Sit and Reach flexibility (3rd and 4th only)


Upcoming Units and Health Focus: Jump Rope and how the heart works


On February 16th and 17th, we will have our annual Jump Rope for Heart Event. These special days raise awareness about the impact of heart disease and stroke on our society today, even amongst children. The students AND YOU will have the opportunity to participate in various jumping activities during your child's PE class. Mark these days on your calendar so that you can exercise with your student and see some of the fun moving things we do in class. In addition, your family can volunteer to raise donations to support the American Heart Association. This year at my annual state PE convention, I heard from actual families whose children were directly helped by an AED placed in a school and other resources provided by AHA funds. More details to come!

Jogging Club Practice Dates: 1/3 and 1/17
The students will be learning how to write a goal for our upcoming team 5K (TBA). Make a commitment to get out an exercise as a family!