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Schools emphasize physical fitness
Belmont Station Elementary School physical education teacher Jason Comins stands in the middle of the school's gym with a net packed with red balls, each about the size of a cantaloupe.
To his left are 20 of Ms. Cantner's second-grade students, while on his right, about the same number of Ms. Williamson's second-graders stand ready for action. Bowling pins are lined up behind each class.
When Comins releases the balls from the net, the students' scurry to pick them up, rolling them at the other team's pins.
Those without a ball to fling play defense, protecting their team's pins as if they are priceless jewels.
Despite each team's willingness to win, the overwhelming aura of the game is of sportsmanship, not competition.
This isn't your Mom and Pop's gym class. In fact, today's elementary school physical fitness classes appear much different than those of old. Although the bowling/dodge ball game the students participated in Dec. 20 was a fun activity leading up to holiday break, usually more emphasis is placed on individual activities and exercise.
"We want to teach them activities they can do for the rest of their lives," said Jennifer Costello, a physical education teacher at Belmont Station.
The physical education classes feature circuit stations that the children participate in.
While the circuit station curriculum is a pilot program where Belmont Station is one of the schools participating, students at all Loudoun elementary schools take physical education three times a week, 30 minutes each time.
In the circuit stations, students focus on core training and fitness, said Sheila Jones, supervisor of health, physical education and drivers education for the county's public schools.
The children at Belmont Station get to work out with balance balls, exercise ladders and other equipment that helps them develop their core muscles.
This program enables exercises to be tailored to each student's ability level.
"This way, they all look like they're doing the same thing, and it doesn't single out kids," Jones said.
She added the main emphasis is to instruct the 90 percent of students who may not be as athletically gifted, instead of catering to the 10 percent blessed with athletic talent.
Comins and Costello said the students seem to like all of the activities, from cosmic bowling to the running unit.
"We try to make anything fun and integrate academics whenever possible,” Comins said.
An example, he said, was when they create a dance where the steps correspond to the water cycle. By remembering the dance, they remember academic material.
During off-school hours, Costello said she'll notice students outside of their houses in Ashburn doing the dances.
Comins and Costello said they definitely see improvements in their students' energy levels and fitness as the school year progresses.
After long breaks like summer and Christmas, the students are somewhat lethargic. But after a few weeks of physical education classes, they perk up, the teachers said.
Comins and Costello attributed part of the rise in energy levels to Belmont Station principal Patricia McGinly for instituting healthier eating habits for the students.
Costello said the students are much more "aware of what's good for them.”
Proper nutrition and physical activity, Comins said, go “hand in hand.”
Contact the reporter at jrenn@timespapers.com
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