By

Josh Hildebrand,   Ernest Horn Elementary School

Play:

Community Playtime – It’s Good for Everyone

Topics:

Community Involvement,  Physical Activity Participation

This Fall we had several families and staff members come to school on Wednesday evenings to participate in a running club. This Track Club got people together to interact and work on getting into better shape for a big local fun run. We had over 115 students/staff/families that participated in the Run for the Schools - second largest percentage in our whole district of ~25 schools!

What improvements have you seen at your school?

The students were excited to see some of their friends and teachers in a different setting (working outside together versus instructing in a classroom). When students got more excited about working out together, their enthusiasm spread to others and the numbers have stayed steady or improved.

How do you plan to make this Play last during the school year and beyond?

We will continue this activity in the Spring to prepare ourselves for another local fun run but I'd also like to try something over the winter months inside, to keep their interest/activity levels up. Another school in my district has had lots of success with this Play that started this school year.