Fitness equipment arrives under PE grant

A rock climbing wall, rope course, adventure equipment, mountain bikes, inline skates, cross country skis, snow boards and digital fitness assessment may sound like equipment found at the world's best vacation resorts. But they are just some of what will soon be found in the Brockport Central School District, thanks to a $457,653 grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Carol M. White Physical Education Program.

The federal funding is expected to improve the district's K-12 physical education program and support the Board of Education goals of improving the overall health and wellness of all students. The Carol M. White Physical Education Program provides grants to local educational agencies to assist students in making progress toward meeting New York state standards for physical education. The grant funds 90 percent of the total cost of initiating, expanding and improving physical education programs designed to assist students in making progress toward meeting state standards for physical education. The district's share included providing teacher time for curricular revision and substitutes during teacher training.

Physical education teacher Katie Zinkiewich initiated the grant, along with Director of Athletics Chris Bourne and a committee of teachers who did research to write the proposal. "Things are starting to come in," said Zinkiewich, "Ten pieces of cardiovascular equipment arrived in early December. In January, equipment for winter use will arrive; including snowshoes, cross-country skis and even some of the mountain bikes. We already teach bowling and ice-skating. Now we can introduce the students to other lifetime activities besides traditional team sports and show them great things to do outside and the health benefits that go with them."

Some students have received their digital heart rate monitors and teachers have begun integrating the materials into their classroom work. For example, Oliver Middle School students are learning the importance of oxygen levels in their bodies and how things such as high blood pressure can lead to health risks. The goal of the grant program is to encourage students to learn more about and improve their physical well being, and to develop interest in activities that will help them lead healthy lives. Under terms of the grant, all of the equipment is to be installed by September 30, 2005.