Smiles and chatter fill the gym as students eagerly run through the obstacle course using cones, hula hoops, balls and scooters. They finish PE with five minutes of meditation and feel ready to take on math when they return to class.
Each year, as PE supplies dwindle, fewer Beaverton students have engaging PE experiences like this — resulting in missed learning outcomes, decreased overall wellness and inconsistent opportunities across schools. The Beaverton Education Foundation is partnering with the Nike Community Impact Fund, the Beaverton School District and community donors to fill these gaps through the Geared Up for PE campaign.
“Simple exercise equipment can be used in so many ways to positively impact students far beyond their time in the gym,” explained elementary PE teacher on special assignment Celia Whitehead. “Unfortunately, for a number of reasons from distance learning and staff changes to daily wear and tear, much of our PE equipment desperately needs to be replaced.”
Research shows that structured play in PE classes leads to healthy habits, provides a break from technology, increases focus and creates hands-on opportunities to use and strengthen their social and emotional learning (SEL) skills.
“Together, we can revitalize and refresh the equipment at every elementary school so all our students have the same robust PE experience,” says Kristine Baggett, BEF’s executive director. “Geared Up for PE ensures that each of our 51 elementary PE teachers has the hula hoops, scooters and multi-functional cones they need for all their students.”