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Illinois District OKs $300K in new exercise equipment for three high schools

Originally published March 22, 2019 in the Chicago Tribune.

By Gregory Tejada

Community High School District 218 officials approved the purchase of just over $300,000 worth of new exercise equipment for physical education programs.

The School Board voted 6-0, with board member Robert Stokas absent, to make the purchase from Direct Fitness Solution, a Mundelein-based company that is part of a national purchasing alliance with Sourcewell. Read More

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Recreation and health in schools

Originally published April 2, 2019 in the Beatrice Daily Sun.

By Monica Brich

For years, public schools have taught students skills to improve their physical, mental and emotional health. But as new information and technology has come out, the way health is taught is constantly changing.

Jordan Johnson, a physical education teacher at Paddock Lane Elementary, said he focuses on teaching and applying skills. Read More

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Elite Fitness Day

Originally published April 7, 2019 in the Citizen Tribune.

Hamblen County Coordinated School Health and the Physical Education Department selected the top 30 third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students at each elementary school in Hamblen County to participate in the Elite Fitness Day held Wednesday at Burke-Toney Stadium.

Elite Fitness Day is for students at each elementary school that show exemplary performance on physical fitness tests. The students are measured by their physical education teachers in flexibility, upper body strength, speed and agility, and heart and lung endurance. Read More

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Crestwood students arrive early for the Morning Grind

Originally published March 4, 2019 in the Record-Courier.

By Krista S. Kano

As soon as Crestwood physical education teacher MaryBeth Thigpen moved from the middle school to the intermediate school at the beginning of the school year, her new students started asking her if she was going to continue former teacher James Dutched’s program, the Morning Grind. Thigpen wasn’t quite sure what it was, but “everyone wanted to do it, so I said, ‘OK! Let’s do it!’”

She soon learned that the Morning Grind was a before-school program in which kids arrive at school early to exercise. The students meet on Mondays and Fridays between winter break and spring break to let out pent-up energy in the drearier months. Read More

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Warren Township Physical Education Teachers Earn A+

Originally published Jan. 10, 2019 by TapIntoWarren.

By Shannon Regan

Warren Township Physical Education teachers Mr. John Tsihlas (Mr. T) and Mrs. Laura Lamson have been teaching some unique activities and games to Warren Township Schools’ students, their families as well as students from Dickerson Elementary School (Chester, NJ) and educators throughout Somerset and Morris counties.

On Wednesday, December 5, 2018, over ninety Warren Township Schools’ students and their families attended Tsihlas and Lamson’s Family Fun Fitness Night at Central School (Warren). Tsihlas and Lamson planned activities that would be fun for any age group. Read More