Parkside Elementary

2005-2006 Healthy Hoosier School Award

Gold Level Winner

At Parkside Elementary School, a 4-star school in Columbus, Indiana, we believe ONE IS NOT FULLY EDUCATED UNTIL ONE IS PHYSICALLY EDUCATED!  All students in grades Kindergarten through six learn to appreciate this statement.

My name is Nora Coleman, and I am the Physical Education teacher at Parkside where, for the past two consecutive years, Parkside has earned the Healthy Hoosier School Award.  In fact, Parkside is the ONLY Indiana school to earn the Gold Medal distinction for 2006!

Parkside students sense my passion and dedication in leading them to living a healthy lifestyle.  I try to lead by example and practice what I preach.  As a result, I am proud to announce that Parkside students love to attend Physical Education class.  Parkside students know that the letters, “PE”, represent Physical Education and Parkside Elementary.  However, all Parkside students strive to be Physically Educated, too.

Just recently, a group of Parkside sixth graders wrote essays describing how Physical Education has changed their lives.  And, unbeknownst to me, their essays were sent to an organization to nominate me for the 2006 “My Favorite PE Teacher Award” from www.PE4Life.com.  Through the efforts of the Parkside students, I was named the national winner.  Following an award ceremony in Washington, DC, I joined others in campaigning for more Physical Education in our schools during meetings on Capitol Hill.  It was an experience I will never forget.  (Parkside sixth grader, Justin Hodapp, the individual essay winner, and his mother accompanied me on the trip.)

I mention this accomplishment because my students nominated me.  I have known most of these students since they were in kindergarten.  Not only do they understand the importance of Physical Education in school, but they know that physical education must extend to their personal lives at home and in the community as well.

At Parkside Elementary School, we strive to be active and IN-SHAPE by participating in these activities/programs:

• Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation Movement Education Curriculum

• Presidential Fitness Testing (Fall and Spring)

• Governor’s Fitness Books

• Monthly Kindergarten Fitness Coloring Sheets

• Run/Write Journals (Grades 3-4)

• Jump Thumpers Club (Rope-Jumping)

• March Fitness Club

• Boot Camp (Wellness Exercise Program)

• Step-Up America Scorecards (Total-School Health Awareness Activity)

• Step-Up America (Grades 3-6; Charting Personal Fitness and Eating habits)

• Parkside Family Fitness Nights

• Parkside Family Roller Skating Parties

• Lunch/Recess-Run/Walk Toe Token Program

• A.C.E.S. Day (All Children Exercise Simultaneously)

• Walking Wednesdays (Walk to School on Wednesday)

• Hula Hoop-Shoot Mania (Exercising to benefit Big Brothers/Big Sisters Organization)

• Parkside Physical Education Monthly Newsletter

• Bartholomew-On-the-Move Pedometer Program

These activities are a few of the many different things Parkside students do to make being active FUN on a daily basis.

Thank you.

Nora Coleman

Physical Education Teacher

Parkside Elementary School

1400 Parkside Drive

Columbus, IN 47203

812-376-4314

colemann@bcsc.k12.in.us