Kahoʻomiki

SPARK e-Newsletter

Written by Kahoomiki on June 16th, 2010

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!

To view the rest of the SPARK e-Newsletter click here.

SPARK e-Newsletter

Written by Kahoomiki on May 22nd, 2010

Hi everybody:

It’s May and time to inventory your SPARK equipment. Do you have any Frisbees that grew legs and walked away? Are you sure there were 36 red blade hockey sticks last time you looked, and now there are 12? SPARK can help!

Announcing SPARKstore– YOUR new online source for sporting goods. Everything available in the Sportime/School Specialty catalogs is on SPARKstore, but with new, deep discounts. Ordering is easy, fast and includes FREE shipping on any order totaling $99 or more.
(Click Here to visit SPARKstore)

To celebrate, we’re introducing our new “Activity of the Month” promotion. You can:
- WATCH a video of the activity
- DOWNLOAD the FREE lesson plans and assessment tools
- TEACH it to YOUR students!

(For more info see the Activity of the Month section below)

All of us at SPARK hope you’ll take advantage of these FREE resources and remember SPARKstore when it’s time to replenish your equipment. Any questions about items or substitutions, just call or email us at SPARK.

If you’re one of our teaching friends who finishes their school year in May, congrats and thanks for another year of teaching and mentoring your students. YOU ARE APPRECIATED BY SPARK.

To view the rest of the SPARK e-Newsletter click here.

SPARK e-Newsletter

Written by Kahoomiki on April 19th, 2010

Hi everybody:

For those of you escaping the throes of winter, welcome to spring! Late sunsets (evening activity time for YOU), blooming flowers (nice smells during that after dinner walk), and the confidence that you WILL survive another school year (oh those boys in my 6th period class…). At SPARK – we know you’ve spent the past 8 months supporting your students; now SPARK will be here all summer long to support YOUR professional growth.

Speaking of professional growth — If you haven’t attended a SPARK Institute yet, please put it on your to-do list; you’ll thank me! These 2-day SPARK workshops are so much fun – and you’ll leave with exciting and effective new tools for your toolbox. Plus, where else can you meet teachers from all around the globe who are interested in exactly the same thing you are? How great is that?

Here’s a secret: A lot of people attend SPARK Institutes to grow professionally yes, but they stay to vacation in beautiful San Diego! You might be able to write off a big part of your trip – check with your accountant and see. And you’ll be eligible for a unit of credit from San Diego State University too.

Here’s a link to the Institutes (dates, video clips, FAQ’s, more) HERE.

Note: Institutes accommodate only 40 lucky people, so don’t wait long to register.

Maybe we’ll see you in our hometown this summer? We’ll roll out the red carpet for you and who knows, Scout might even swing by for a pet or two…

Happy spring,

To view the rest of the SPARK e-Newsletter click here.

SPARK e-Newsletter

Written by Kahoomiki on March 23rd, 2010

Hi everybody:

It appears school district budgets will be slashed even more in many states. SPARK wants to help YOU find the $ to maintain, and even enhance your programs.

PEP (Physical Education for Progress) grant applications will be released within the next few weeks. We hope you’ll consider submitting this year and writing SPARK into your plans. Did you know over 125 successful PEP awards have implemented SPARK? Click Here to see why past winners have chosen SPARK. SPARK’s evidence-based approach is well-respected and aligned with PEP’s MVPA requirement. And, SPARK’s Nutrition Education program aligns with the new proposed priorities for 2010 PEP Grants, so make sure to contact us soon for assistance with your grant!

Click Here for “3 Helpful Tips for 2010 PEP Grant Writers”.

In addition to the terrific PEP opportunity, our “Grant-Finder Tool” is a clearinghouse that “Shows you where the money is!” for PE, After School, Early Childhood and Coordinated School Health. Let us know if you need any assistance – and good luck!

Finally this month, we’re very happy to announce the official launch of our SPARKfamily.org site! We’ve been busy building it for a long time, and now, it’s ready for elementary physical education teachers to use. See the SPARKfamily.org section below for more information and log-on soon – it’s a fantastic resource that will surprise you with relevant and robust content!
Hope to see many of you at AAHPERD – attending our presentations and visiting the booth.

Be well,

To view the rest of the SPARK e-Newsletter click here.

SPARK e-Newsletter

Written by Kahoomiki on November 9th, 2009

Hi everybody:

Last month I encouraged you to visit our new website (sparkpe.org). How do you like it?

One of our favorite new features is the “Grant Finder.” Using this tool, it’s easy to find $$$ for YOUR physical education, after school, early childhood, or coordinated school health programs.

And speaking of grant money, if your group is submitting for the Communities Putting Prevention to Work Initiative, I hope you’ll consider collaborating with us at SPARK. We’ve worked with over 100 grant recipients over the years — so we’ve gotten pretty good at it. Any questions or just need some help? Call or email us anytime at 800-SPARK-PE or spark@schoolspecialty.com.

All of us at SPARK appreciate the opportunity to provide evidence-based resources for YOU — and — help you obtain the funding you need to enhance your programs.

Be well,

To view the rest of the SPARK e-Newsletter click here.

SPARK Newsletter October 2009

Written by Kahoomiki on October 8th, 2009

Hi everybody:

I have great news this month — SPARK has launched our new website! Please visit www.sparkpe.org and tell us how you like it (email your feedback to spark@sparkpe.org). We hope you’ll love our new look, enjoy the easy navigation, and come back to visit us time and time again for the latest and greatest.

You might remember that a few months back I introduced our friends at School Specialty (www.schoolspecialty.com). As time passes, you’ll see School Specialty more and more in association with SPARK — and that’s a good thing! They are the nation’s leader in the education marketplace (everything from science curriculum to desks and office supplies) and their support means SPARK is STRONG for YOU.

Thanks in advance for helping us spread the good news on our new website with your friends and colleagues.

Be well,

To view the rest of the SPARK e-Newsletter click here.

Greetings From SPARK

Written by Kahoomiki on August 31st, 2009

Hi everybody,

Great news to share: StationPE, a popular website with innovative standards-based content, activity videoclips, music and more, is merging with SPARK! Aaron Hart, the creator of StationPE, will also be helping us enhance our educational technology and secondary (grades 6-12) PE programs. In the weeks and months to come, we’ll be sharing more news on what this means to you — our SPARK family. Hint: look forward to a bigger, better menu of programs and cutting edge online resources.

Finally, for many of you, summer vacation is winding down. Have a terrific start to your school year and don’t forget to contact us at SPARK if there’s anything we can do to help you get ready.

Stay active,

To view the rest of the SPARK e-Newsletter click here.

It’s About Professional Growth

Written by Kahoomiki on August 31st, 2009

This was a great week of the year for all of us at SPARK. We just finished hosting our K-2 and 3-6 physical education Institutes and meeting approximately 100 passionate educators from around the globe. Since 1995, SPARK has been facilitating these professional growth opportunities for individuals whose districts are either too small, too poor, or too poorly prioritized to bring a SPARK trainer to them. Institutes provide the opportunity for people to come to SPARK — and we love it.

While we do our best to limit each program focus to the first 40 people to register, we usually invite a number of special guests to observe, and they may swell our numbers to 50 or more. This year, we entertained people from India, China, Canada, Australia and myriad cities and towns across the U.S. Personally, I think learning about physical education in other countries is fascinating. For example, in China, children start preschool at age 3 and don’t begin at the elementary school until age 6 or 7 — missing what we call Kindergarten, and beginning in first grade. In India, almost everyone speaks English, and our SPARK books don’t have to be translated for teachers there. What we refer to as Standards in the U.S., are known as Outcomes in Canada. And Canadian funding for education comes only from provincial money, not from the federal government, therefore, each province writes their own outcomes. By the way, SPARK has already aligned with Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan outcomes and they’re posted on our website Here.

In the evenings, we have a place selected for people to meet, eat, and socialize with our SPARK staff. While it’s definitely about having fun in the sun in San Diego and meeting new friends, SPARK Institutes are designed so each person receives the best possible physical education workshop — and learns SPARK’s unique content and instructional methodology. Our specially selected, fantastic trainers (this week it was Courtney Sjoerdsma and Ken McFadden for K-2; Julie Green and Joan Gillem for 3-6) inspire and motivate everyone, often taking the skeptical and converting them into our most enthusiastic advocates. And, each person leaves with a thorough understanding of SPARK and all training, materials, and support they need to begin “practicing” the craft with their students right away.

We encourage these newly formed professional families to stay in touch with us and one another, and we facilitate that via email distribution lists, our monthly e-newsletter, and the opportunity to visit SPARK again for another Institute in the future. For the people that attended the Level I K-2 and 3-6 last week, they’re ready now for Level II Institute next year, or whenever they’re ready to see us again.

If YOU haven’t attended a SPARK Institute yet, I highly recommend it. I don’t know anyone who didn’t think it was a terrific experience and well worth their time and money.
Hope to see YOU in San Diego next year!

–By Paul Rosengard

These articles are posted on the following website: http://www.sparkprograms.blogspot.com

Obesity Dollars and Sense

Written by Kahoomiki on August 31st, 2009

By Paul Rosengard

Its swimsuit season — that time of year when people assess the way the look with fewer clothes on — and maybe, resolve to make some changes.

Whatever the motivator to shed fat/lose weight, statistics show there is surely a need for Americans to take a long look in the mirror. A recent USA Today front page article titled, “Obesity is a key link to soaring health tab” said that about 40% of adults — more than 72 million — were obese in 2006; up from 23% in 1994. And, 2/3 of everyone in the US is overweight or obese. I can almost hear the Europeans chuckling at us…

While many of us judge our bodies by how they look in a bathing suit at the beach, the article goes beyond skin deep. It reports that the cost of healthcare has doubled to $147 billion in a decade, and obesity accounts for almost 10% of that total.

Eric Finkelstein, a health economist says,

“If you really want to rein in healthcare dollars, you have to get people dieting, exercising and living a healthier lifestyle.”

Alright, we get it. The message isn’t new — it’s just that the statistics are getting worse and the unfortunate result is obesity is costing us more. People KNOW they are overweight and many want to drop some unhealthy fat and be more active, but it’s harder than just shouting from the rooftops, “Eat less and move more!” If changing behavior were that easy, we wouldn’t be in this predicament.

Here are a few tips for personal change that are less commonly known:

1. Call in a Substitute. Take one thing you consume every day (e.g., coffee creamer) and go from full fat to no fat. This little change done frequently adds up. Once you’ve made one small change, add another. Rinse and repeat.

2. Take 10: After dinner or anytime, go for a 5 minute walk (always consult your Doctor before beginning any exercise regimen). Five minutes in one direction, then turn around and head back. These 10 minutes — most if not all days of the week — will kick-start your activity program. Build from this foundation by increasing your frequency (how many times a week you walk) and duration (how long you walk). And check out a previous blog spot where I talk about how our dog Scout has helped my wife Wendy become a daily walker — after work.

3. Tell a Friend: Ask someone you know to be your health coach. Encourage you to eat regular size portions — and try and eat smaller meals 4-5 times a day, instead of 3 big ones. More frequent eating helps regulate your blood sugar, keeps you from getting hungry, and fires up your metabolism. Use that friend for support (e.g., an exercise buddy). By the way, my wife Wendy does this for an optimal health program called Take Shape for Life (www.spreadyourwings.tsfl.com). It works, people lose weight and keep it off, and I highly recommend it!

While personal responsibility is by far the main factor in weight management — our communities can play a role — positive or negative. From the USA Today article, here are 6 steps communities can take to help prevent obesity:

1. Put schools within easy walking distance of residential areas.
2. Improve access to outdoor recreational facilities.
3. REQUIRE PHYSICAL EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS — YEA!
4. Enhance traffic safety in areas where people could be physically active.
5. Enhance infrastructure supporting walking and biking.
6. Discourage consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks.

So, if you haven’t had that long, self-assessment look in the mirror yet this summer, maybe it’s time. Ultimately, it’s up to each of us to be in control of our own healthy lifestyle. If we don’t, healthcare costs will take control of us.

It was 20 years ago today!

Written by Kahoomiki on August 10th, 2009

Wednesday, July 22, 2009
 
In August 1989 the SPARK study began, with funding from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Our goal was to create a national model of physical education designed to respond to children’s health needs. We wanted to not only get kids active, but “turn them on” to activity and build the physical and behavior-change competencies they needed to remain active and healthy.

Twenty years later, I can say we succeeded beyond my wildest expectations! The SPARK and M-SPAN studies provided some of the evidence that led The Community Guide to strongly recommend enhanced physical education as an evidence-based intervention. We now have a suite of physical activity and school health programs to help young people remain active. There is a network of talented trainers across the country that provides hundreds of enthusiastically-received trainings every year. We have shown that when teachers learn to use SPARK, they keep using it for years. Most importantly, well over 1 million children benefit from SPARK every day. I often say SPARK is the most fulfilling experience of my career.

Of course, I was just a catalyst for what SPARK has become. Thom McKenzie is the architect who built a fabulous program. Paul Rosengard is the mastermind behind the blossoming of SPARK into a powerful force for improving health throughout the nation (and hopefully, soon, the world). It is a rare combination of skills to go from being an award-winning coach to a PE innovator to directing the phenomenal growth of SPARK, while maintaining quality and our strong reputation the whole time.

Recently, the SPARK staff and the master trainers got together to celebrate SPARK’s 20th birthday. It was a special occasion for me for many reasons. I really enjoyed paying tribute to Thom, Paul, and all the fabulous staff. It was a special treat to recognize SPARK employee numero uno, Kecia Carrasco. She was number one then, and she is number one now. We are all blessed that she is still devoting her considerable talents to SPARK. And it wouldn’t have been a SPARK party without a lot of fun activities. The master trainers led us in 3 great dances under the California sun, and I hope you get a chance to see some of the video.

With all that the SPARK team has accomplished, it is not nearly enough. While SPARK was growing, so was the obesity epidemic. It is very fortunate that we created some solutions for this problem, because concern about childhood obesity is certainly driving much of the interest in what we can provide. But still most schools do not have evidence-based activity-focused physical education. Most after-school, preschool, and recreation programs are not active enough. We have much more to do. But “with a little help from our friends” we will “come together” and SPARK the “revolution” that is needed to get every child active so they can be healthier and happier.

Jim Sallis
www.drjamessallis.sdsu.edu
 
SPARK

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