Hanawalt School Selected At PE4LIFE Model Site

Hanawalt Elementary School has been selected to serve as one of four PE4life® Model Sites in Iowa and will ultimately play a role in the delivery of workshops to other schools to improve physical education programs throughout the state.

Workshops focus on the integration of PE4life Core Principles that emphasize getting all kids healthy through fun and interactive physical activity. As a first step, a specialized team of educators and community leaders from Hanawalt Elementary will attend a PE4life Introductory Workshop at a PE4life Academy Training Center in Rogers, Ark., in early February, as well as receive ongoing PE4life Program Support Services.

“Our PE teacher, John Baker, has been a leader in his field regarding the importance of teaching students how to live healthy and lead active lives,” said Julia Burton-Varn, principal of Hanawalt Elementary School. “He inspires all Hanawalt students to improve their personal levels of fitness. PE is exciting, challenging, and student-oriented. We are very excited to become a model school.”

As a PE4life Model Site, Hanawalt Elementary School will serve as a display model for other schools by delivering a variety of activities to students, including adventure and outdoor education, fitness, and fundamental skills through a curriculum aligned with state standards.

The training, along with equipment scholarships and ongoing support of the four Iowa Model Sites, is being funded by a variety of contributors, including a project through the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, United States Department of Education funding sponsored by Sen. Tom Harkin, and Variety — the Children’s Charity.

The Des Moines Independent Community School District is Iowa’s largest provider of public education serving the individual needs of more than 31,000 students in 66 schools with more than 5,000 dedicated teachers and staff. For more information about Des Moines Public Schools visit www.dmps.k12.ia.us