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Friday, July 22, 2005

3 Local Schools Given P.E. Grants

By Russell Contreras
Journal Staff Writer
    Two Albuquerque schools and another in Bernalillo have been awarded physical education grants from the state.
    Painted Sky Elementary, Southwest Primary Learning Center and Bernalillo's Roosevelt Elementary are among the 33 schools chosen to receive part of the $1.3 million earmarked by Gov. Bill Richardson to fight childhood obesity.
    The money will be used to pay for a licensed physical education specialist for the schools, the New Mexico Public Education Department announced Wednesday.
    The teachers will develop new physical education programs for elementary children that could serve as a model for a statewide program. The grants will also provide money for physical education equipment and supplies.
    The department will also provide a consultant to oversee the pilot projects. The consultant will work with a University of New Mexico researcher to evaluate programs.
    State Education Secretary Veronica C. Garcia said the grants are important because there is a strong link between student health and academic achievement. "As we work towards closing the achievement gap in New Mexico, we must work with legislators and educators to ensure that every child in New Mexico has regular access to physical education," Garcia said.
    Health and student performance has been a theme for Garcia this summer. The education secretary has been holding "community conversations" around the state showing data from 2003-2004 reading and math test scores along with the state's obesity statistics.
    Her next conversation will be 10 a.m. today in Cloudcroft at The Lodge with the New Mexico School Board Association. Garcia will also hold a conversation on July 29 at the American Federation of Teachers' Albuquerque office.
    Garcia said she will travel to all regions of the state by the end of the year.