Improving fitness and reducing obesity among our students are major concerns influencing the exciting changes that are taking place in our middle and high school physical education programs. Physical activity significantly decreases for adolescents and continues to decrease throughout adulthood.

Through professional development and equipment purchases made possible by a three-year Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) Grant, Madison physical educators are attempting to change this trend.

The PEP grant provides funds for nutrition education, physical fitness and adventure education. In the first year, special emphasis is placed on nutrition education and physical fitness professional development and equipment purchases. In subsequent years, adventure education is emphasized.

The grant also allows for constructing a new universal (handicapped accessible) ropes course on the Kennedy Elementary School site to replace the aging non-accessible course at the School Forest.

Creating a balance between traditional team and individual sports and an increased emphasis on physical fitness is a challenge accepted by the physical education staff. Innovative equipment acquisitions along with the professional development to support implementation are having an impact on the programs we provide for students.

"Smart-carts," which include medicine balls, stretch cords, jump ropes and hurdles, were purchased by each middle and high school. In addition, "train stations," heart rate monitors, pedometers, exterstriders, aquatics, weight room and a variety of core fitness and adventure education equipment have also been purchased.

Are these changes making a difference in student fitness? Using the Fitnessgram, we are collecting fitness information on all middle and high school students to help monitor the performance of students, as well as reflect on our teaching practices. We are also gathering student feedback to determine the impact of these changes.

The willingness among staff to reconsider their teaching practices and to embrace new and innovative ideas, will hopefully have a positive affect the lives of our students, and reflects positively on the quality of teachers in our district!

La Follette HS phy-ed instructor Charlie Mattison talks about the multi-use "Smart-cart" which has medicine balls, stretch cords, jump ropes and hurdles used for a variety of fitness activities for students of all abilities.


La Follette phy-ed instructor Charlie Mattison demonstrates the hurdles from the multi-use "Smart-Cart" purchased with resources from the 3-year PEP grant.