Hi everybody:  If you haven't seen Sweaty the
Clown yet, I hope you Click Here for a few laughs - then forward along to colleagues. While
there are many outstanding Physical Education (PE) programs and teachers everywhere,
unfortunately, some of the activities Sweaty pokes fun at have yet to go the
way of the dinosaur. "Malpractice" is bad for all of us; it's physically
and emotionally unsafe, and even one rare circumstance might carry terribly negative
thoughts regarding PE forward to future generations. I encourage everyone to rally
against PE Darwinism (kickball, dodgeball), exclusion (games
that eliminate or punish), and inactivity (failure to modify traditional
sports). If you haven't conducted a "checkup" of your child's physical
education program lately (e.g., asked about it at open house or back to school
night), I encourage you to do so. Let's hope you find an inclusive,
active, and enjoyable program based on NASPE Standards and bathed in compelling
content and effective pedagogy; and not Sweaty The Clown up to his old tricks. Speaking of great content and
pedagogy, there are a few seats left at the SPARK K-2 Institute. I can promise you this, if you teach physical education to these
little people, two days with Joan Gillem (our K-2 Lead Trainer and Institute
presenter) will change your life for the better! Hope to see YOU in San Diego in August!  |
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$10,000 AWARDED TO FIVE
CALIFORNIA ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
SPARK and the CA Dept. of Public Health Team-Up
to Increase Physical Activity among Youth
While most California school budgets are being cut, five public elementary schools across the state are receiving some end-of-the-year help as winners of the "SPARKpower" grant program. Funded by the California Department of Public Health, five $10,000 grants were awarded allowing the schools to implement one of SPARK's research-based physical education programs.
The following schools were announced as winners: Cielo Vista Charter School, Palm Springs; John Muir Magnet School for Global Citizenship, San Diego; La Escuelita Elementary School, Oakland; Selma Avenue Elementary, Los Angeles; and Strauch Elementary School, Sacramento.
Click Here to read the full article...
ANNIKA Foundation Donates $37,500 to Orange County Schools to Implement
SPARK Program for Physical Fitness Orlando, Fla. (May 25, 2010) - The ANNIKA Foundation awarded five $7,500 grants to Orange County elementary schools to fund the implementation of the SPARK Physical Education (PE) program during the 2010-11 school year. Hall of Fame golfer Annika Sorenstam started her foundation in 2007 to teach children the importance of living a healthy, active lifestyle through fitness and nutrition. Annika visited Hungerford Elementary School to present the awards and lead the children in a fitness lesson with a SPARK representative. Click Here to read the full article... Sallis SPARK's Interest in Students
 Dr. James Sallis has developed a habit of affecting whole cities and groups of people as opposed to individuals. This isn't an easy task; however, the San Diego State psychology professor and last year's Monty Award winner for Outstanding Faculty Contribution to the University has managed to do just that with a physical education program used nationwide that he helped develop called Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids. |
SPARK Supports the Goals & Recommendations of The White House Task
Force On Childhood Obesity Report to the President: Solving The Problem Of
Childhood Obesity Within A Generation.
Recently, First Lady Michelle Obama
launched the Let's Move! campaign to solve the childhood obesity
epidemic within one generation. In support of the Let's Move! effort,
the Task Force on Childhood Obesity was established by President Barack
Obama to develop and implement an inter agency plan that details a
coordinated strategy, identifies key benchmarks, and outlines an action
plan to end the problem of childhood obesity within a generation.
The report, titled Solving the Problem of
Childhood Obesity Within a Generation, includes Early Childhood
Education, Physical Education and Physical Activity recommendations.
SPARK is already well aligned with the recommendations in this report!
 In support of the Let's Move! effort, SPARK has put together a document
to summarize how SPARK can help you and your community to meet these
recommendations. Click Here for the report.
We hope you will allow us to support you in your efforts to get Moving!
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Don't Miss Junes's FREE Webinar:
"SPARK & Recreation"
(Not Amy's sitcom but we're
hoping she'll join us)
Do you work for a Parks & Recreation
Department, a Boys and Girls Club, a YMCA, or any other public or
private after school agency/organization? Do your programs engage youth
in physical activity? Then this FREE webinar is for YOU!
We know your barriers: Different age
students all there at the same time, equipment challenges, limited
space, high attrition rates among staff, etc., and we want to help! The
SPARK team of educators and researchers have been studying after school
programs since 1995 when they did the "Power Play" project with the
University of Tennessee, Memphis. This webinar will share lessons
learned from 15 years of "real-world" field-testing, and participants
will:
- Receive FREE lesson plans and content ideas specifically for
after school programs - Learn teaching strategies that increase activity time and
increase appropriate social behavior - Understand how to increase MVPA and fitness levels of youth - Overcome barriers many after school programs face
So drive over to our SPARKing lot, step out
of your fossil fuel guzzler, and we'll see you at this SPARK &
Recreation class on:
When: Wednesday, June 16that 3pm Pacific, 6pm Eastern
Who: After School Program
Directors, Coordinators and Educators
Duration: 45 minutes
Cost: Free!
Registration: Click Here to register
Click Here for recordings of previous SPARK
webinars
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Sharing
Whether you are working in a traditional school setting or
in an after school program, it is often necessary to share space and
equipment for physical activity. Here are some strategies to make the most of
the situation and still provide quality, daily activity for students.
Create a schedule
- All teachers and leaders sign up to use an activity area at a designated time.
- To share resources, one person can set
up for activity, then others who follow their class can use the same
lesson and equipment, and the last class can put it away.
Stations
- Within a larger space, teachers or leaders can rotate
to different areas, then do several activities. This helps share equipment.
- Each person sets up their activity, teaches the
lesson, then leaves the area the way they found it. Then they rotate to the next lesson. Once they have completed every lesson, they
clean up their station.
Modify for Limited
Space
- Find a new place to be active -- be creative. You
can move desks, tables, and chairs to allow for more room.
- Choose challenges, dances, and group activities
that can be done in small areas.
Equipment
- Coordinate lessons and activities so
everyone is not using the same equipment at the same time.
- Substitute! Use tossables or alternative equipment instead of providing the
same piece of equipment for everyone. For
example, if you don't have enough fluffballs for the whole group use crumpled
up pieces of paper!
Organization is the key to success! Create a plan so everyone has the opportunity
to provide physical activity for their students and has access to the space and
equipment.
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2010 SPARK Institute Dates Announced!
Each spring and summer, SPARK conducts 2-3 day
"Institutes" for each program in beautiful San Diego that are similar
to the SPARK Premium Program -- yet offer an even richer, in-depth SPARK
experience.
Top program presenters and authors lead the interactive
sessions, a professional family is created, a terrific time is had by all, and
attendees leave inspired and motivated to take their programs to the next level.
2010 Dates:
After
School: April 6 & 7 - Registration Full
Early Childhood: June
24 & 25 - HURRY- FEW SEATS LEFT!
High
School PE: June 29th & 30th
K-6 PE
Level 2: July 8 - 9
Middle
School PE: July 27 & 28 - Registration Full
K-2 PE: August
2 & 3 - HURRY- FEW SEATS LEFT!
3-6 PE: August
4 & 5 - Registration Full
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 Where in the World is the
SPARK bag this month?
Can you guess the location? The first person to send us a Tweet with the
location of the SPARK bag will win a free SPARK t-shirt!
You can access our
Twitter account HERE...
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Now you can follow SPARK through your favorite social media sites! Are you on Facebook? Become a fan of The SPARK Programs! Like to Tweet? Follow SPARK on Twitter! Looking for discussions on interesting health-related topics? Subscribe to the SPARK Blog!
Join SPARK through any of these sites and you'll be able to:- Get updated on the latest SPARK resources and events
- See what other SPARK Stars are doing & saying
- Let SPARK and the SPARK family know what you think
- Connect with other educators/organizations in our industry
Click on any icon below to visit the SPARK account for that site...
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Don't see a grant below that fits your program? Check out our new Grant-Finder Tool for a complete list of national and state-specific grants...
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Head Start
Body Start Play Space Grant
(National)
Head Start Body Start National Center for Physical
Development and Outdoor Play provides grants of up to $5,000 to Head Start
Centers nationwide to improve their outdoor play spaces. Early Childhood SPARK is
a proud 2010 Preferred Provider! Contact SPARK for special pricing available to
Head Start grant applicants.
Click Here for more information
about this grant.
DEADLINE EXTENDED!
Deadline : July 1, 2010
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WellPoint
Foundation Healthy Generation Grants
(Select States)
The WellPoint Foundation champions healthy
behaviors, health-risk prevention, and healthy environments. Funding is currently
available to address key health issues including childhood obesity, diabetes
prevention, and adult physical activity.
Click Here for more information
about this grant.
Deadline: August 8, 2010
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Finish
Line Youth Foundation
(National)
The Finish Line Youth Foundation supports youth programs that are effective and
inclusive, funding opportunities for participation in youth programs that place
an importance on youth development and an active lifestyle. Grants generally
range from $1,000 to $5,000 and applications are accepted throughout the year.
Click
Here to take the eligibility quiz and view application guidelines.
Deadline: Rolling
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School Challenge Grant
Highmark
Healthy High 5
(Pennsylvania)
The
Highmark Healthy High 5
School Challenge grant program is designed to support Pennsylvania
schools in
the effort to introduce programs that will create healthier, more
successful
students. Through the School Challenge grant program, Highmark invites
schools
to submit proposals for innovative programming to improve nutrition
education,
nutrition services, increase opportunities for physical activity or
education,
self-esteem, or bullying prevention. Contact SPARK for help with your
cost
proposal today.
Click Here for more info.
Deadline: Rolling
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Wal-Mart State
Giving Grant Program
(National)
Through the
State Giving Program, the Wal-Mart Foundation seeks to
support organizations that create opportunities so people can live
better. The
Foundation has four areas of focus: Education, Health and Wellness,
Environmental
Sustainability and Workforce Development/Economic Opportunity. The
Foundation
strives to award grants that have long-lasting impact for the most
people in
the most meaningful way.
Click Herefor more information
Deadline: August 20, 2010
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