My students need sports equipment to be more physically active at recess. Our playground already has nets, so soccer balls, volley balls, basketballs are needed.
My sixth graders hate waiting for a turn with the few balls we have, and I hate seeing them inactive. Children need to move to stay healthy of mind and body. Having this equipment will give them a focus for team work and building bonds. This grant could literally mean improved health for them.
We serve fifth and sixth graders at a rural school.
Some of them are on the bus an hour each way to get here. Over fifty percent of our kids receive free and reduced price lunch. So many of our kids are at high risk for obesity, we made their health and wellness a school improvement goal last year. We have worked really hard to improve opportunities to play by enriching our facilities. We know that brain research correlates success in academics with healthy movement, so we incorporate physical activity as much as possible.
My Project
My kids have had experience in volleyball, soccer, basketball, and football. With new equipment, the kids who don't have their own balls to bring from home will be able to get involved in playing during their 30 minute recess. Many of our kids are involved in sports outside of school, and they would readily join in play focused on a familiar sport here. Kids who only access sports in PE would obviously have expanded access.
Having these new soccer balls, footballs, volleyballs, and basketballs will get more kids to be involved in more total minutes of physical exercise.
They will increase muscle mass and cardiovascular health. They will be able to work with peers toward a common goal. They will practice being gracious in victory and defeat. Finally, they will learn to test their limits as athletes in a safe environment.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Tarantino and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
