Wheels and Fitness For Health Days

By:

Inclusionary
Fitness

Bethesda Elementary is proud to have earned our The HealthierUS School Bronze Award of Distinction, but we think this achievement falls second to our accomplishment of creating our inclusionary fitness program.  Through a collaborative vision of our administration, dedicated staff and parents, we foster exercise and physical fitness development as part of the school schedule. 

Our student population includes children who have physical, cognitive, communication and fine and gross motor challenges which impact their access to some activities such as bike riding and ball games.  Along with large, adapted
tricycles procured for students with disabilities, students bring in their own
bikes and scooters to participate in bi-weekly Wheels Day. Wheels Days allow
students with special needs to ride around the parking lot on trikes, bikes and
scooters with their peers during recess. It stimulates friendships as well as
motivation to attempt motor skills that are difficult.

Similarly, a private organization, Fitness for Health, coordinates with our Special Education staff to lead the children in fun, movement games which are enjoyable for both staff and students. These motor clinics are specifically designed to enable students with a variety of challenges to accurately interpret and physically execute discrete and multi step activities in game format. Some of these games are also hosted during recess. Parachute activities are the most popular. Everyone benefits from playing outside in the fresh air.

Yet another group, led by parents, Girls On The Run, has finished its first year
encouraging young girls, including some with special needs, to set running
challenges for themselves and foster self esteem.  We are proud at BE to have dedicated staff and parents who afford such a variety of activities that promote fitness, health and inclusionary practices.