Our vision is to develop a nationally-recognized "state-of-the-art" K-12 health and physical education program that motivates all students to be safe, healthy, and physically active. Our vision requires:
1. A dramatic transformation of out-dated instructional practices,
2. A renewed commitment to meeting the needs of all students, and
3. Providing adequate resources (curriculum, staff development, assessment, and funding) to our teachers.
Current History
Background: In 2001, middle school and high school Healthful Living Department Chairs began meeting on a more regular basis with the purpose to address the three requirements stated in our Vision Statement. Yearly goals were established, weaknesses in instructional practices were identified, and resources were secured to address the goals and instructional weaknesses.
The following steps were taken during the 2001-2002 school year to assess our needs and to provide teachers with time and additional opportunities that aligned with our Vision Statement. Examples of activities during this time included:
- Implementation of the School Health Index (http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/SHI) at all middle and high schools to assess the current status of the health education, physical education, and nutrition education programs.
- Implementation of a Fitness Testing survey to assess current practices of the elementary physical education teachers in regards to this topic.
- Development of an Annual K-12 Staff Development Day, the "Wake-up to Healthy Kids" workshop, increased participation in the NCAAHPERD State Convention (http://www.ncaahperd.org) and Fall and Spring Physical Education Leadership Conferences sponsored by the Physical Education Association ( http://www.ncaahperd.org/pea/index.htm).
State and National Recognition in 2003: Due to the initial assessments that took place in 2001-2002, Central Office Staff were directed to secure additional funding and/or partnerships (e.g., Wake Fitness) (http://www.wakefitness.com/fitabc1.php ) within the Wake County community. Examples of these on-going innovative programs can be seen by visiting the elementary, middle school, or high school links within this website. The development of these programs led to our first national recognition at the Annual Safe & Drug-Free Schools Conference in Washington, D.C. where we were asked to present our school district's programs to a national audience.
State Honors: However, we were most pleased when several of our teachers were recognized as 2003 North Carolina Teachers of the Year. These individuals include:
Betsy Beals, 2003 North Carolina Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year
Barnanne Creech, 2003 North Carolina Middle School Health Education Teacher of the Year
Kathy Stefanou, 2003 North Carolina High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year
April Parrish, 2003 Middle School Intramural Program of the Year
PEP Grant: Also in the same year, Wake County Public Schools received $493,000 as a part of the Carol M. White Physical Education for Progress (PEP) Grant. This grant afforded additional opportunities to realize our vision is to develop a nationally-recognized "state-of-the-art" K-12 health and physical education program. Additional information on our PEP Grant can be found by visiting the PEP Grant link.
National Recognition in 2004: Based on the outstanding progress of our school district's middle school assessment program, Ann Hulslander (Coordinating Teacher for Healthful Living) was invited to speak at the 2004 AAHPERD National Convention in New Orleans. Also during this time, the Wake County Public School System received an additional honor when Artie Kamiya, Senior Administrator for Health and Physical Education, was selected as the 2004 National Physical Education Administrator of the Year (http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/template.cfm?template=naspeAwards/cmaa.html) by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education's (http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/template.cfm )Council for School Leadership in Physical Education.
