HEALTHY BODIESHEALTHY MINDS2 0 1 4
A u g u s t 5 – 6T h e H i l l S c h o o l
P o t t s t o w n , P A
This event nurtures interdisciplinary teams of educators and administrators in the adoption of physical activity as a learning tool.
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What is it?
This event nurtures interdisciplinary teams of educators and administrators in the adoption of physical activity as a learning tool. With focus on planning and implementation, leading neuro-scientists, educators and psychologists will present evidence-based research and practical knowledge for participants to creatively incorporate movement in their teaching practice.
Breakout sessions will address specific physical activity components, techniques for integrating movement into the classroom, nutrition topics, community partnerships for schools, staff wellness, and best practice models from around the nation.
What should I expect?
You can expect two days of collaboration with your peers working on a common goal. Teams should come ready to listen to other’s experiences, and ready to share their own experiences and ideas. Please dress in comfortable attire suited for physical activity and summer weather.
Who should attend?
Interdisciplinary school teams and individuals interested in transforming their school into a movement centered building. Teams (minimum of 3 people) may include classroom teachers, nurses, health and physical education teachers, administrators, school counselors, and any other motivated individuals regardless of their official role. Team attendance is strongly encouraged. Teams should coordinate a common team name for individuals to use at registration.
New for this year!
A specialized afternoon track specifically for School Administrators on the first day. This abbreviated session will allow administrators to gain knowledge on the subject, relate with peers, and have time to meet with their teams. See the School Administrator Agenda.
Institute objectives:• To review current research in exercise, learning, and curriculum planning
• To develop a multidisciplinary school-based team that will implement exercise and learning initiatives in their schools
• To provide a forum for discussion and collaboration among like-minded educators
• To assist in the development of an action plan for each school building
Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds 2014 Institute
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This institute is sponsored by the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation.
The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation is a community non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance the health and wellness of area residents by providing education, funding, and programs that motivate people to adopt healthy lifestyles.
The Foundation awards grants to area non-profit organizations which use their resources and services to develop and enhance programs that support our purpose of promoting health and wellness. Grant awards are based on four key priority areas which include improvement in healthy behaviors through schools. Over the past nine years, more than $5 million has been awarded to the public and private schools within the Foundation’s service area.
In short, the Foundation’s role is to help area residents improve their health and well-being every day. By doing so, we are creating a more dynamic and more vibrant community in which to live now… and into the future.
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Tuesday, August 5
7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. Registration (Dining Hall)
8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.Breakfast Plenary: “CABLE: Charleston Action-Based Learning Experience”(Dining Hall) David Spurlock
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Breakout Session A
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Breakout Session B
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Master Demo: Yoga4Classrooms (Dining Hall)
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Grab n’ Go Lunch & Expo (Dining Hall)
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Breakout Session C
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Breakout Session D
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Walk n’ Talk (Soccer Field)
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Networking Cocktail Hour (Center for the Arts)
Wednesday, August 6
7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. Optional Workout (Pavilion)
8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.Breakfast Plenary “Our Brains Are Full. What Do We Do Next?” (Dining Hall) Scott Miller & Paul Zientarski
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Road Mapping Session (Dining Hall)
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Breakout Session E
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Breakout Session F
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.Lunch Wrap-Up “So, What Can We Do On Monday?” (Dining Hall) Panel Discussion led by David Spurlock
Tuesday, August 5
11:30 a.m. Registration (Dining Hall)
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.Grab n’ Go Lunch & Expo – Meet up with your school teams, visit the Expo and engage with presenters.
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.The Effect of Fitness, Exercise, Active Classrooms on the Brain & Learning – Get a basic understanding of the neuroscience and the importance fitness and exercise plays in the learning process.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Administration Peer Circle – This work-alike group will discuss incorporating physical activity as a learning tool in your school. Hear what other Administrators are doing.
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.Walk n’ Talk – Meet up with your school teams to discuss translating the conference materials to your own school culture.
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.Networking Cocktail Hour – Meet other conference participants and connect over common work.
AGENDA AT A GLANCE
SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR AGENDA
Pre-Registration Required — by July 3, 2014
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Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds 2014 Institute
Registration Deadline July 3, 2014
A Tuesday, August 5 – 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.• QR Code Adventure Race
• Operation Cooperation Part 1
• Blueprint for a Fitness Focused District
• Elementary Active Classroom Strategies
• 2014 Brain & Body Research Update
B Tuesday, August 5 – 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.• Operation Cooperation Part 2
• An Introduction to Mindfulness in Organizations and the Classroom
• Buff, Brainy & Behaved
• Healthy Schools Program: Creating a Healthier School Environment
• Secondary Active Classroom Strategies
• Outcomes to Track for Evidence Based Support for Your School Based Activity Program
C Tuesday, August 5 – 1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.• Punk Rope in PE
• PolarGoFit.com New Heart Rate and Activity Monitoring for Education
• Yoga 4 Classrooms
• The Effect of Fitness, Exercise, Active Classrooms on the Brain & Learning
• Common Core Kids: Kinesthetic Instructional Differentiation Strategies
• Fitness for Life: Changing PE for the 21st Century
• Girls on the Run of Montgomery & Delaware Counties
D Tuesday, August 5 – 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.• Learning Readiness: All Classes Can Utilize Movement
to Enhance and Improve Achievement
• Purposeful Movement in the Primary Classroom
• Large Group Brain Breaks
• Administration Peer Circle
• Does PE Make You Smarter?
• How to Incorporate Movement into the Academic Classroom
• 2014 Brain & Body Research Update (Repeat)
E Wednesday, August 6 – 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.• Adventure-Based Experiential Learning
• Wii Feel the Beat
• How to Create & Sustain a Wellness Committee
• Successful School-Based Exercise Programs from Scratch
• Kinesthetic Classroom
F Wednesday, August 6 – 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.• Yoga for Kids: Teaching Resilience Through Yoga
• More Brain Breaks & Energizers for the Classroom
• CrossFit Affiliates for School Districts
• Successful School Based Exercise Programs – Improvements
• Environment of Wellness in Your District
• Action Based Learning in ANY High School Classroom
Breakout Session Summary
Register Here!
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Tuesday, August 5
7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.: Registration
8:00 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.: CABLE: Charleston Action-Based Learning Experience
David Spurlock
Learn how Charleston County School District brought “movement with purpose” to national prominence. Featured in the documentary “No Excuses,” teachers in Charleston use many different methods that incorporate a movement approach to learning—from Yoga to Deskercises and Brain Rooms to Kinesthetic Classrooms. Learn how it was done and how you can change the learning environment of your school to become a “moving experience.”
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Tuesday, August 5
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Breakout Session A
QR Code Adventure Race
Jessica Peconi-Cook
Learn how to use QR codes to create a scavenger hunt for your classes! Participants will be wearing FITstep Pro Pedometers to gauge their physical activity levels.
Operation Cooperation Part 1
Charlie McGarvey
Activities that combine physical skills and also challenge the cognitive thinking of a group of students to problem solve in order to be successful and achieve a common goal, which is to complete the physical task. Activities target grades 4 to 8 but can be modified to accommodate other levels.
Blueprint for a Fitness Focused District
Noel Vigue
John F. Kennedy Middle School in Natick, MA has been working on transforming their school over the past five years to focus on helping improve student overall health and support student learning. The results have been impressive! They have seen health and fitness scores improve to some of the best in the state and 88% of their students are in the healthy zone for body composition. The Wellness department created their own fitness videos, and classroom teachers at their school and throughout the country use them as energizers before or during classes to help student concentration and focus.
Noel Vigue will share Natick’s story and help answer some of these questions... How do you begin? How can you make this happen in your school? What are some roadblocks or limitations that you may run into and who are your allies that can help support the cause? What has the data shown us up to this point? Noel will look to help you learn from their successes and mistakes.
Discussion points include: exploration of ways to build school community through exercise; how to get more people involved; having kids buy in; how to measure and evaluate program success; linking student expectations, grading and behavior into fitness-focused courses; as well as promotion, expansion, funding, and limiting setbacks.
Elementary Active Classroom Strategies
Paul Zientarski
Participants will be able to adapt neuroscience information in their classrooms with varied ideas about engaging students in the learning process. Participants will create, with guidance from the presenters, an activity and share it with the other participants.
2014 Brain & Body Research Update
Lindsay Thornton, Alex Thornton, Chris Gilbert
This session will review highlights from peer reviewed neuroscience, neurokinesiology and school-based exercise intervention studies. The latest exercise and brain based findings relevant in school settings will be shared and framed in a way for educators to apply lessons in their own classrooms.
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Elementary Junior High Secondary
AdminAll Active
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Tuesday, August 5
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.: Breakout Session B
Operation Cooperation Part 2
Charlie McGarvey
Activities that combine physical skills and also challenge the cognitive thinking of a group of students will be demonstrated. Emphasis on problem-solving in order to be successful and achieve a common goal, which is to complete the physical task. Activities target grades 4 to 8 but can be modified to accommodate other levels.
An Introduction to Mindfulness in Organizations and the Classroom
Debbie Heller and Jennifer Bergbauer
This workshop will provide an overview of mindfulness and the research behind it. We will introduce the benefits and value of practicing mindfulness to reduce stress and enhance focus and creativity. Mindfulness-based techniques and tools that can be used both for staff and students will be presented. This workshop will be both educational and interactive
Buff, Brainy & Behaved
David Spurlock
This presentation will provide information on the basic brain science that connects movement with cognition. Charleston County School District has been a national leader in this movement and is recognized as The Action Based Learning Flagship School District by Jean Blades of Action Based Learning. Data will be presented that will demonstrate how this approach has not only changed the health but the behaviors and academic outcomes for students in Charleston County School District.
Healthy Schools Program: Creating a Healthier School Environment
Sara Couppas
Learn about this comprehensive wellness program to assess, monitor, track, and identify priorities for your school’s wellness programming. Technical assistance and opportunities for free resources will be shared. This program is designed for school wellness coordinators, administrators, champions for school wellness, and others who want to learn how to promote wellness and adopt school-wide change.
Alliance for a Healthier Generation, founded by the American Heart Association and The Clinton Foundation, provides its Healthy Schools Program across the nation in more than 20,000 schools. Learn to create a culture where schools that promote healthy eating and physical activity are the norm and not the exception. To achieve this goal, the Healthy Schools Program provides free support and access to a wealth of implementation resources at no cost to individuals or schools. Join us to learn how to implement health at your school and access resources to help you along the way.
Secondary Active Classroom Strategies
Paul Zientarski
Participants will be able to adapt neuroscience information in their classrooms with varied ideas about engaging students in the learning process. Participants will create, with guidance from the presenters, an activity and share it with the other participants.
Outcomes to Track for Evidence Based Support for Your School Based Activity Program
Lindsay Thornton, Alex Thornton, Chris Gilbert
In this session, we will talk about how keeping track of outcomes allows schools to determine whether or not their programs will be/are successful, and allow them to be efficiently modified for success. From heart rate, to attendance, discipline and academic outcome data to cognitive and emotional measures, this session will cast a broad net of what measurements are most feasible to collect in school settings. Attendees will be guided to consider where to start for developing programs and what measures to consider tracking as their programs evolve.
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Elementary Junior High Secondary
AdminAll Active
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Tuesday, August 5
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Master Demo: Yoga 4 Classrooms©
Yoga 4 Classrooms is a research-based, low-cost, simple, effective, and sustainable school program designed to foster students’ physical and psychological well-being. Grounded in mind-body practices and addressing the whole child, Y4C curriculum systematically cultivates social-emotional, self- regulation, and resilience strategies. The Y4C program supports goals for academic progress, health and fitness, and a healthy school environment through alignment with national educational standards.
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Grab n’ Go Lunch & Expo
• Find a free space to catch up with your team. • Visit the expo to meet school-focused exhibitors. • Engage with presenters.
Elementary Junior High Secondary
AdminAll Active
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Tuesday, August 5
1:15 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.: Breakout Session C
Punk Rope in PE
Lucie Bergeyova
Punk Rope is a mash-up of jump roping, fitness games, partner drills, relay races, and creative calisthenics. The punk rope activities can be modified to your students’ needs and can be easily implemented as part of a warm up, cool down, or as a class as a whole. In this “hands on” session, you will learn the basics of the Punk Rope class and how to implement it in your curriculum. We will cover topics such as: space requirements, jump rope sizing, and safety. You will participate in solo and partner jumps, long rope jumps, and cooperative activities and games.
PolarGoFit.com New Heart Rate and Activity Monitoring for Education
Nancy White
Polar GoFit is a web-based program that educators can track student progress by activity or heart rate. Learn about the functionality and benefits of the program, watches, and monitors.
Polar Active Watches use polargofit.com to:
• Create activity periods, set targets, and evaluate students based on objective activity data
• Track physical activity, time in the sleeping zone and follow student progress by individual or by group
• Collect data and provide clear, comprehensive reports in PDF format to share with parents and administrators
• Give students and their families access to their data through an individualized online password
Polar heart rate sensors- H7s (Polar’s new Bluetooth data system) shows your students the effect of exercise on their body. This means you can objectively assess students of all abilities while safely motivating them with instant feedback on their activity. Ultimately, heart rate monitoring ensures all students are exercising at the right intensity, helping them reach their full potential.
Yoga 4 Classrooms
Patricia Aristide
Yoga 4 Classrooms is an evidenced-based approach to using mind-body activities suitable for the classroom environment that addresses pro-social behavior, self-regulation, and resilience. Attendees will learn developmentally appropriate, safe, and simple yoga and mindfulness techniques to use in the classroom settings shown to foster social-emotional skill building, self-regulation, and positive attitudes—and guide students to a path of lifelong learning, as well as academic and personal success.
The Effect of Fitness, Exercise, Active Classrooms on the
The Effect of Fitness, Exercise, Active Classrooms on the Brain & Learning
Paul Zientarski
Participants will get a basic understanding of neuroscience so they can apply it to their situation in their school. Active classroom strategies will be discussed. Participants will understand the importance that fitness and exercise plays in the learning process.
*This session is earmarked for administrators only.
Common Core Kids: Kinesthetic Instructional Differentiation Strategies
Jean Blaydes
Can you change a brain? Can learning and memory capacity increase? Can the brain be primed for improved learning? Find the answers in this highly energetic, interactive presentation that summarizes the recent brain research that links movement to learning and shows how it translates into classroom practice. It will highlight kinesthetic teaching strategies that align to Common Core Standards for the classroom. Come learn kid-tested and kid-approved short, quick, fun lessons that build capacity by teaching reading, math, social studies and science kinesthetically.
Fitness for Life: Changing PE for the 21st Century
Noel Vigue
Noel will discuss the future of physical education and what we should be looking to do to help our students improve overall health and support academic learning. He will discuss the measurement and evaluation of the Fitness for Life program at Kennedy Middle School in Natick, Massachusetts, exploring links between student expectations, grading, and behavior in this fitness-focused course. Students use heart rate monitors to examine their fitness levels and learn about their overall health and fitness with an emphasis on the cardiovascular system. Students demonstrate a working knowledge of how to manage their body composition with exercise, nutrition, and the proper amount of sleep, which are integral to their overall health and academic success. Noel will share how he continues to review how students learn in PE and Health classes. He will also discuss how PE can impact overall school culture and classroom success.
Girls on the Run of Montgomery & Delaware Counties
Tracy Ashdale
Girls on the Run is a positive youth development program that inspires third through eighth grade girls to stay true to themselves and live free from societal stereotypes. The 12-week curriculum innovatively weaves training for a 5K run with lessons that empower girls to celebrate their bodies, honor their voices, and embrace their gifts.
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Elementary Junior High Secondary
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Tuesday, August 5
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Breakout Session D
Learning Readiness: All Classes Can Utilize Movement to Enhance and Improve Achievement
Joe Gallo and Tom Stoddart
What is the one best way to get the brain ready to learn? Where are the connections? Learn and experience how emotion, attention, and short bursts of exercise can be a game-changer for your classroom. Take advantage of the science of heart rate, balance, and movement linking with traditional academic learning at various levels. Get to the heart of how to apply basic brain and body concepts to energize and motivate. More ways to try boosting the energy in your classroom or gymnasium are explored. This session includes activities that you can take with you and use and/or share with others. This is an activity session; please dress to play at your own level.
Purposeful Movement in the Primary Classroom
Cassie Connor
This presentation will be an opportunity for attendees to see how Action Based Learning stations and practices can be incorporated in a classroom setting. They will leave with a better understanding of the program and how to implement it, manage it, and see the endless results of it! Attendees will also leave with a variety of activities that encourages purposeful movement, interactive learning, and kids having fun!
Large Group Brain Breaks
Scott Miller
Come experience techniques and tips in facilitating brain breaks for groups. These short energizers can be used in the classroom, assemblies, meetings, and among teams. Brain breaks are also a great introduction to the idea of movement in the classroom and may be used as a stepping stone in your district’s wellness plan.
Administration Peer Circle
Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation
Answer: Increased fitness, reduced incidence of obesity, higher academic achievement, stronger standardized test scores, re-energized classroom management, decreased behavior referrals, school-wide recognition, and universal teacher efficiencies. In short: healthy students and happy teachers.
Question: Why should I lead my school(s) in the incorporation of physical activity as a learning tool?
Educational leaders are encouraged to come to this work-alike group that will address the benefits of incorporating physical activity in their schools, as well as the challenges, barriers, and steps for success.
*This presentation is earmarked for administrators only.
Does PE Make You Smarter?
Jean Blaydes
Does Physical Education make you smarter? Does PE raise test scores? Are physically active kids smarter? These questions are answered in this interactive, informative presentation presented by internationally known speaker, Jean Blaydes of Action Based Learning. Jean will discuss the most current neuroscience research that supports the link of exercise to learning. Come learn how to advocate for exercise and its link to improved cognitive performance.
How to Incorporate Movement into the Academic Classroom
Noel Vigue
How do academic teachers get kids moving without losing them? How can teachers include physical activity during lessons? What is the science behind these movement breaks/classroom energizers? These questions and more will be answered as well as exploring ideas and examples of two classroom educators (math and social studies) that have used a variety of activity-based lessons to help student overall performance. We have seen an increase in academic performance and standardized test scores; students’ behavior has improved with less discipline referrals; attendance has gone up; and students’ mood and overall focus and concentration has improved after incorporating classroom energizers. Learn how to make videos and manage movement in an academic classroom.
2014 Brain & Body Research Update (Repeat)
Lindsay Thornton, Alex Thornton, Chris Gilbert
This session will review highlights from peer reviewed neuroscience, neurokinesiology and school-based exercise intervention studies. The latest exercise and brain-based findings relevant in school settings will be shared and framed in a way for educators to apply lessons in their own classrooms.
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Elementary Junior High Secondary
AdminAll Active
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Tuesday, August 5
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Walk n’ Talk (Soccer Field)
• Participants will meet at the Soccer Field behind the Library and debrief the day.
• This is a pre-planning session to connect with peers and discuss the new information and ideas, beginning to translate the conference materials into your own school culture.
• As a result of this walk n’ talk, teams who would like one-on-one support will be expected to submit a Road Map Outline to shape their Road Mapping session later in the conference.
• The Road Map Outline allows teams to delineate three areas of need that they would like one of the conference experts to address. During the Road Mapping session, coaches will visit with planning groups to help guide them through their questions.
• Administrators are encouraged to stay and connect with their respective teams.
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: Networking Cocktail Hour (Center for the Arts)
• Participants are invited to an open platform to meet other conference participants and actively connect over common work.
• At 5:30 p.m., individuals and teams will be rewarded for their participation during an open drawing to include materials, curriculum, scholarship opportunities, and other prizes.
Elementary Junior High Secondary
AdminAll Active
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Wednesday, August 6
7:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.: Optional WorkoutSign up at the Registration/Information Desk on Tuesday.
8:00 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.: Breakfast Plenary: Our Brains Are Full. What Do We Do Next?
Scott Miller and Paul Zientarski
Active classrooms, balance, core strength, neuroscience, student growth, data analysis, advocacy, funding, health, fitness, wellness are just a few of the concepts that you have learned about at this Institute. This session will explore how to take these experiences and put them into a plan of action.
9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Road Mapping Session
During this 45-minute segment, team members will start to turn ideas to tangible plans. Whether your team is starting from scratch or updating existing programs, you will have time to build from the Walk n’ Talk outline with the help of our expert speakers.
10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.: Breakout Session E
Adventure-Based Experiential Learning
Jay Erb/Craig Erb
A look at some of the opportunities for students to “discover” skills for living and learning. We will discuss how experiential learning can build the foundation of social and emotional learning to promote respect, responsibility, relationships, and academics.
Wii Feel the Beat
Darla Lieb
The “Wii FEEL THE BEAT” program provides students with the knowledge needed to determine which active video games provide the opportunity for moderate to vigorous physical activity, measured by heart rate. This session will introduce strategies on how to use the Wii to teach students about making informed decisions as to which video games will provide the best form of physical activity. Students who participate in this unit will learn how to take their pulse and modify their activities to make sure they are in their Target Heart Rate Zone.
How to Create & Sustain a Wellness Committee
David Genova
When it comes to building results-oriented school wellness programs, wellness committees are a big part of the equation. Studies have shown that wellness committees are a critical part of the longevity factor in school wellness programs. Wellness committees allow for continuity, motivation, and ownership of health promotion programs. Every building and every district is different. However, David put together six steps that he
believes are important when trying to make a positive change in your school. Throughout this interactive presentation, David will provide practical, step-by-step approach to putting your wellness committee into action. Included are ideas and strategies for improving both the nutrition and physical activity environments of your school, as well as practical examples from Pottstown School District.
Successful School-Based Exercise Programs from Scratch
Lindsay Thornton, Alex Thornton, Chris Gilbert
For five years, we have been working with schools across North America to develop and improve exercise programs. In this session we will share our observations and experiences of how successful programs get off to a good start. We will describe common pitfalls and barriers faced when implementing exercise in a school setting, and provide examples of how schools have navigated these challenges.
Kinesthetic Classroom
Stacey Shoecraft
The solution to some of the most common classroom problems is through movement. Students with special needs, behavior issues, and attention deficient will benefit from this classroom! This informative session will include ideas on ways to incorporate yoga, dance, and brain breaks seamlessly into your daily schedule. Besides brain breaks, discussion will also feature equipment options, as well as how to create the dream classroom that every child (and parent) would love to attend at YOUR school!
Elementary Junior High Secondary
AdminAll Active
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Wednesday, August 6
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Breakout Session F
Yoga for Kids: Teaching Resilience Through Yoga
Annette Lemma
This interactive session will provide attendees with strategies and lesson plans to use in an after-school, Physical Education, or classroom setting to promote lifelong wellness and coping in a theme-based, creative way. The focus is on yogic principles and postures, and mindfulness with attention to child development and special needs.
More Brain Breaks & Energizers for the Classroom
Joe Gallo & Tom Stoddart
Mix and match ideas and strategies for connecting brain information and learning approaches. Explore ways to boost the energy in your classroom or gymnasium. Be the connection for your students and better learning and/or focus it on the subjects being instructed. See how to apply basic brain and body concepts to make best use of the time you have with the students. This session includes activities that you can take with you for use in class the next day, as well as some advanced activities that you can build up to reach. More tricks, games, tools, and strategies to help you differentiate your teaching. Join us as the fun and learning “MOVE” on. This is an activity session; please dress to play at your own level.
CrossFit Affiliates for School Districts
Robert Matthews
How to establish a CrossFit affiliate in your school district. This session will provide a step-by-step explanation on how to get CrossFit Functional Fitness to your district.
Successful School-Based Exercise Programs – Improvements
Lindsay Thornton, Alex Thornton, Chris Gilbert
For five years, we have been working with schools across North America to develop and improve exercise programs. In this session we will share our observations and experiences of how to make a good program better. We will describe common pitfalls and barriers faced when implementing exercise in a school setting, and provide examples of how schools have navigated these challenges.
Environment of Wellness in Your District
David Spurlock
This presentation will provide participants an overview of how Charleston County School District has built an environment of health and wellness that has become a national model. With innovative programs like Docs Adopt a School and School Wellness Checklist Surveys, other school districts can learn how to initiate and maintain a successful Wellness Program.
Action-Based Learning in ANY High School Classroom
Kassi McKay
Action-Based Learning Activities for any subject in a secondary classroom. Attendees will experience first-hand lesson activities that can be applied in any subject area and done in a classroom. Attendees will brainstorm how they can adapt activities for their content, classroom and students.
12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.: Lunch Wrap-up
“So, What Can We Do On Monday?”
Panel Discussion led by David Spurlock
* Don’t forget to pick up your conference participation certificate after the lunch presentation!
Elementary Junior High Secondary
AdminAll Active
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Conference fee: Includes all conference offerings and meals. Excludes overnight accommodations.
Team rate: Schools are encouraged to send interdisciplinary building teams. A team consists of a minimum of 3 people from the same building. Teams should coordinate a common team name for individuals to use at registration.
Individual rate: While the conference has expanded, it will still provide the individual skill components and opportunities for learning that it has in the past. The conference fee includes all meals and both days of programming.
Accommodations: Dormitory rooms are available at The Hill School for August 5 & 6 for anyone seeking on-site accommodations. Rate is $30/night but rooms do not offer air conditioning. Fans will be provided. A list of nearby hotels is available at: http://www.thehill.org/PreferredHotels
Directions and parking: For directions, please visit: http://www.thehill.org/DirectionsToTheHillParking will be located at the Performing Arts Center off of Beech Street.
Cancellation: No refunds or credits will be given for cancellations after July 31, 2014. Substitutions are accepted though session availability may be limited.
Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Planning Committee: David Kraybill – Pottstown Area Health & Wellness FoundationAshley Pultorak – Pottstown Area Health & Wellness FoundationLaura DeFlavia – Pottstown Area Health & Wellness FoundationLucie Bergeyova – Boyertown Area School DistrictAllison Carr – The Wyndcroft SchoolDavid Genova – Pottstown School DistrictMichelle MacLuckie – Pottsgrove School DistrictJessica Peconi-Cook – Mt. Lebanon School DistrictJo-an Rechtin – Owen J. Roberts School DistrictDavid Spurlock – Charleston County School DistrictNoel Vigue – Natick Public Schools
Photo release:By submitting a registration form for this conference, you verify that you are volunteering to participate in a photograph, video, and/or materials that may be used to represent the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation and/or The Hill School for educational/informational use on public brochures and any other promotional materials in the form of print and/or web-based versions
Submitting Online Registration: Please fill out one online registration form per person by July 3, 2014. Payment may be submitted online via PayPal OR mailed to the Foundation.
Checks payable to: Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation
Pottstown Area Health & Wellness FoundationAttn: Laura DeFlavia152 E High St, Suite 500 Pottstown, PA 19464
For registration questions, please contact Laura DeFlavia at 610-323-2006 x24.
Team Rate Individual Rate Dorm Accommodations (not included in conference fee)
Conference Fee $100/pp $150/pp + $30/night
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
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BIOGRAPHIES
Patricia Aristide is a 200-hour registered Yoga Alliance teacher through West End Yoga in Easton, Pennsylvania. She is the founder of “Yoga Joy” – tools for healthy living. She has enjoyed the practice and study of yoga, qigong and taiji for many years. She is a Licensed Yoga 4 Classrooms Trainer, Certified ChildLight Yoga Instructor and Yoga 4 Teens Instructor. In addition, she holds a Master of Arts in Teaching Degree and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology.
As an educator, Patricia observed many changes that have taken place in the classroom over the years, primarily those dealing with the daily educational, social, emotional, and physical challenges our children and youth face. Out of this grew her passion to address these issues using the tools of yoga and mindfulness to meet the needs of the whole child, so they are able to find success in and out of the classroom.
Patricia enjoys spending time with her four daughters, family, and friends. In addition to her interests in health and nutrition, she loves running, hiking, biking, and gardening.
Tracy Ashdale, LSW, Executive Director leads the mission of Girls on the Run across Montgomery and Delaware Counties. Tracy has been working as Therapist, Emotional Educator, and Integrative Leadership Coach for over 20 years supporting individuals, families, and groups to open their hearts and minds, so they are committed to a new vision, direction, and inspired to do their best.
Jennifer Bergbauer is a senior market research analyst at Independence Blue Cross. She has participated in meditation programs at Penn Center for Mindfulness and Clear Light Meditation. She is also participating in a Yoga Teacher Training. Jen received her MBA from Penn State Great Valley. Jen has a particular interest in introducing mindfulness to children and teens.
Lucie Bergeyova was always active and involved in many sport activities. As a member of the Czech National Biathlon team, she competed in various venues across Europe, Asia, and North America while also working toward a Master’s degree in Sport Sciences. Lucie’s experience in the Health/PE field include 7 years of teaching at KidsPeace, 4 years in the Allentown School District, and 3 years in the Boyertown School District where she also serves in a role of a H/PE and FCS Lead Teacher. Lucie is also working as a fitness instructor at Boyertown YMCA teaching Punk Rope, Cardio Classes, and Swimming.
Jean Blaydes is an Elementary Physical Educator with 30 years teaching experience. She has her Bachelor’s Degree from SMU in 1969, and a Masters of Education, Kinesiology from East Texas State University in 1992. Her honors include: 2013 National Association of Sport and Physical Education NASPE Distinguished Service Award; Richardson Independent School District Teacher of the Year 1992; Texas Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year 1992; NASPE Southern District Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year 1993 representing 13 states; Texas Association of Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD) Honor Award 1997, TAHPERD Media Award 1998, and PEPI Award; 2005 Advocate of the Year Award from PE4LIFE. Jean is a presenter, keynote speaker, and workshop facilitator on the subjects of brain theory supporting movement’s link to learning by teaching academic subjects kinesthetically. She has presented workshops internationally in 10 foreign countries and nationally in all 50 states.
Cassie Connor attended Radford University and has taught in Title 1 schools for 11 years. She has taught in Fairfax County, VA and East Hartford, CT. She has been in Charleston, SC for the last 8 years. Her career has taken her through Pre K-3rd grade, as well as being an Action Based Learning interventionist. She is also an Action Based Learning Master Trainer.
Sara Couppas is the Healthy Schools Program Manager for PA/DE/MD at the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. She works to guide teachers, school staff, parents, and community members to make specific changes in their schools to become healthier environments for their kids. Sara works in 11 districts and in over 135 schools to provide technical assistance, workshops and resources as schools begin to make healthy changes to their environments. Prior to joining the Alliance, Sara served as a Youth Market Director at the American Heart Association where she worked with schools in San Diego, CA and more recently in Southeastern PA. She has also worked as a business development consultant with Dale Carnegie Training and as a personal trainer in various locations in PA. Sara earned her BS in Recreation and Fitness Management, with a minor in Health Promotion from Lock Haven University.
Craig Erb has been in the field of public/private education for over 40 years. Since 1989, his focus has been in the field of adventure-based experiential education incorporated into academics and behavior management. Craig is a national lead trainer for the Masonic Model Student Assistance Program and has taught graduate level classes for St. Joseph’s University, West Chester University, Ursinus College, and Neumann University.
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Jay Erb has been an adventure-based experiential facilitator since 1997, with a focus on high and low challenge course experiences, problem-solving initiatives, and wilderness experiences. When not on a ropes course, Jay will likely be found working as a park ranger in the Chester County park system or instructing martial arts at the Tae Kwon Do Academy. Jay is also an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) and a first aid /CPR instructor with the American Safety & Health Institute.
Joe Gallo is a teacher at Edgewood Elementary in the Pennsbury School District. In his 24th year teaching, Joe is a staff development workshop teacher within the district and has presented for Tools for Teachers, PSAHPERD, POLAR technologies, NAPSE Pipeline, and the Pennsylvania Governor’s Institute. Joe is a member of PSAHPERD and past President of the Southeastern District of PSAHPERD. In 2004, Joe was PSAHPERD’s Teacher of the Year. This is his second year participating in the Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Institute.
David Genova graduated from Slippery Rock University where he earned his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Health Science with a concentration in Public Health and a minor in Psychology. David is a personal trainer, certified through American Council on Exercise as a Health Coach and certified Sports Performance Coach through Parisi Speed School. David previously served as the Program Director at the Sinking Spring YMCA. He currently serves as the Wellness Coordinator at Pottstown School District.
Chris Gilbert studied computational neuropsychology at McMaster University, and completed his PhD thesis on learning and the brain (simulating executive functions and memory through computer models of the brain). He has gone on to run studies on the use of the Kinect in schools for Microsoft on evaluating the effectiveness of police wellness programs, on the use of exercise as a clinical treatment, and on exercise as an educational tool in schools such as Eagle Hill and Landmark East, and in studies with Specialized Bikes and Cycle Kids, among others. Chris is an expert in measuring mental processes, and in the application of statistics in program evaluation.
Debbie Heller is a senior wellness program design specialist for Independence Blue Cross. She has worked with employer groups of all sizes and types of business in developing strategic wellness programs. She recently developed a worksite mindfulness stress reduction program which is currently being piloted. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her Master’s in Counseling from Gwynedd-Mercy University. Debbie’s counseling expertise is motivation and behavior change, and she worked in private practice helping people make healthy lifestyle changes. She also is a Wellcoaches-certified wellness coach and a faculty member with the Wellness Councils of America.
Annette Lemma is a certified Yoga Instructor, and completed her training with ChildLight Yoga in 2011. She has taught yoga to hundreds of children in the schools and in yoga studios. Annette is an RN and Certified School Nurse and has worked for both the Pottstown and Owen J. Roberts School Districts for 13 years. Her first career in nursing extended over 10 years as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Neuroscience Nursing. She is married and a mother of 3 very active children, ages 19, 17 and 15. Her nursing education includes: Master’s Degree in Nursing, University of Pennsylvania; Certification in School Nursing, Kutztown University; a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, Hahnemann University; and an Associate’s Degree in Nursing, Alvernia University.
Darla Lieb is an elementary Physical Education teacher within the Boyertown Area School District. She has 10 years of experience from the Kindergarten through 12th grade level. The Wii Feel the Beat program is a program she developed to help her students understand which video games provide the amount of activity necessary to be considered healthy.
Robert Matthews has 30 plus years coaching Junior Karateka and Junior Elite Level Shotokan Karateka in preparation for national and international competition. He is a CrossFit Level 1 Certified Instructor and registered coach with the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) and USANKF, NGB, USOC.
Kassi McKay is a certified Math, PE, and Health teacher with over 10 years experience teaching a variety of courses and students. For the past two years Kassi has served as the Action-Based Learning Coordinator at Stall High School in South Carolina. She is a certified Master Trainer in ABL and has been presenting on ABL lesson ideas for the past 4 years.
Charlie McGarvey is a graduate of East Stroudsburg University. He has a BS & MEd in Health and Physical Education, which he has put into 41 years of teaching practice at St. Jane School in Easton, PA (Grades K to 8). He coached High School Sports for 26 years and is the Chairperson of the Elementary PE Department for Diocese of Allentown.
Scott Miller is the author of the book Brain Breaks II. He holds a MS degree in School Administration and is currently the Department Chairman for mathematics at Naperville Central. Scott is recognized by Smart Technologies as a Smart Trainer. He has helped lead the nationally recognized program at Naperville Central High School. Scott is an Adjunct Professor at Aurora University. He also works with Paul Zientarski on the Learning Readiness Physical Education program at Naperville. For more information, visit www.learningreadinesspe.com or www.engagedteaching.com.
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Jessica Peconi-Cook is a Health and Physical Education teacher in the Mt. Lebanon School District outside of Pittsburgh, PA. She coaches pole vault in the Spring for the varsity track team, and currently serves as the committee chair for the early childhood committee of PSAHPERD. Any technology she has been fortunate enough to use in PE has been funded through grant money, and she enjoys helping others make this possible in their classes.
Stacey Shoecraft has been teaching for ten years and has a passion for reaching ALL children, especially boys and really fidgety kids! As a child that grew up struggling with ADD, she understands the importance of engaging young minds through activity. Her mission is to spread the concept of “Moving Minds through Movement” across the nation and change the way we teach our children.
David Spurlock, Coordinator of Health, Physical Education, Athletics, ROTC, and Wellness in the Charleston County School District in SC, is hailed as “one of the titans of physical education in the US,” by Harvard Medical School researcher and author Dr. John Ratey. “He is one of the biggest reformers in this country.” Spurlock, a retired coach and PE teacher, is now an experienced presenter who is regularly asked to speak at conferences throughout the country on how the integration of daily physical activity improves learning and behavior. Spurlock has worked closely with and presented with Jean Blaydes for the past seven years. His practical application of movement in the classroom is currently a subject of research by The Medical University of South Carolina and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Tom Stoddart is in his 16th year of teaching and is currently at Edgewood Elementary in the Pennsbury School District. Tom is a district staff development workshop teacher, has presented with EDA, and was PSAHPERD’s 2008 Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Alex Thornton, a teacher for seven years, has his doctorate in Educational Leadership. He has experience coaching nearly all team sports. His post-doctoral work was with Dr. John Ratey focusing on using exercise to change school cultures and optimize student learning. He also collaborates closely with other leading thinkers to bring findings from sleep, nutrition, play, and neuro/biofeedback research to educational and organizational settings. Alex’s goal is to merge neuroscience with education, and teach people how to make sustainable positive changes in their lives to maximize their potential.
Dr. Lindsay Thornton has her doctorate in Counseling and Sport Psychology. Previously, she taught first grade, coached gymnastics, and researched Positive Psychology. Her current research focuses on better understanding psychophysiology (the relationship between psychology and brain/body responses) and optimal performance, and she has published several papers and chapters in this domain. She is interested in identifying and teaching “expert” strategies
to those with less expertise to accelerate development and performance. Lindsay has worked with elite sports teams, military, corporate, and educational organizations. She is also a sport psychologist at the United States Olympic Committee specializing in performance psychophysiology.
Nancy White is a retired teacher from Eastern Lancaster County School District. She is completing her 34th year of teaching this year. Nancy has also been working for Polar for seven years as a contract trainer and dealer for Polar products.
Noel Vigue, M,Ed., CSCS is a health/physical educator at Kennedy Middle School in Natick, MA. Noel has been teaching and coaching adolescents for over 18 years. He teaches the Fitness for Life program for 7th and 8th grade students. For the past five years, Noel has been working to establish Natick Public Schools as a district that puts evidence-based research into practical applications, helping the students to be better learners and live healthier lives. Inspired by the book SPARK by Dr. John Ratey, Noel continues to research the link between exercise and preparing the brain to learn and this has led him to study aspects of educational neuroscience.
As a coach and athletic trainer, Noel has been an integral part of many MIAA individual and state championships (AHS softball ’98, baseball ’00, QRHS wrestling ’04, Newton North HS indoor track ‘05, and 2010) during his career. From 2004 to 2009, he served as the head coach for strength and conditioning at the Boston University Athletic Enhancement Center. At BU he worked with hundreds of youth, high school, collegiate, and adult athletes helping them prevent injury and improve performance.
Paul Zientarski is the Learning Readiness P.E. Coordinator for Naperville School District 203 in Naperville, IL, where he spent the last 26 years as the Department Chairman for P.E., Health and Driver’s Education at Naperville Central H.S. Paul retired in May 2010 after 40 years in education. Through LRPE, Naperville Central High School has seen dramatic improvements in test scores, behavior, and childhood obesity. School districts from across the country and around the world visit to learn why the P.E. program is so successful and employ the concepts learned there.
Paul holds a BS in Physical Education and an MS in Communication Science along with an Administrative Certificate. Zientarski is the Co-Director of DuPage County Institute for Physical Education and has held this position since 1986, and serves as a consultant for Polar Electro, Inc. Paul has been awarded the “Healthy School Hero” by the Action for Healthy Kids and has been inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Quincy University. In addition, Paul has made presentations across the country on Learning Readiness P.E., PE4LIFE philosophy, Childhood Obesity, Physical Education Curriculum, Technology use in Physical Education, Small-Sided Games, and Brain Breaks in the classroom.
