Physical Education Support Pilot
A nonprofit fundraiser supporting
Active Kids Association of Sport (AKASPORT)AKASPORT is working to support physical education programs in Minnesota schools.
$2,925
raised by 15 people
$2,500 goal
The AKA Physical Education Support Program Pilot will allow us to build school program and equipment packages unique to each school's needs. We will purchase equipment, bundle it for the schools and provide staff for after school and off-day programs. During the school day, phy ed teachers will be free to use all of the AKASPORT equipment to enhance their own in-school programs.
By providing equipment for each school we will enhance the physical education experience for all students - keeping phy ed class fun so kids WANT to be active!
We estimate a need for $2500 to purchase the initial equipment needed and start programs within the Minneapolis school district where we see the greatest need.
To see why and how we will use this $2500 and the three phases of impact, please see our Executive Director, Chris Schulz's blog post about the need to support physical education in our schools. www.akasport.org/blog
Physical Education is often looked at as an "extra" class or playtime for students and a way to burn energy before they get back to the important parts of learning. While it usually is fun and definitely burns so energy to help kids focus in their classrooms, we feel phy ed is a necessity, not an "extra".
We have learned a lot from our partners at schools throughout the state and were disappointed to learn that some schools receive as little as $250 for gym equipment for an entire year- for an entire school! Considering they are supporting hundreds of kids, this doesn't provide nearly enough opportunity for new and engaging games to keep physical activity fun!
Studies show that physical activity can have an impact on cognitive skills including enhanced concentration, attention and improved classroom behavior while teaching students about teamwork and sportsmanship. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) In addition, children that engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily tend to have the best standardized test average scores in reading, math, science and social studies. (American Heart Association)
Please consider supporting this project so we can keep these kids active every day!