story by Dwight Henson
photography provided by Pam Straker
Red Bluff Elementary is the first school to receive a Level 1 rating twice in the history of the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (TAHPERD) Exemplary Schools Program.
The award honors Texas schools that excel in providing a quality health and physical education program. The rigorous application process requires 15 forms of criteria to be met in the following categories: mission statement, curriculum and instruction, instructional strategies, coordinated school health program, communication, student assessment and evaluation, and professional development, among others. The recognition is distributed based on three levels:
• Level 3 - Must meet all 15 required criteria
• Level 2 - Must meet all 15 required criteria and two optional criteria
• Level 1 - Must meet all 15 required criteria and 3 optional criteria
“At Red Bluff we do not just teach the basics, we teach them that fitness can be fun, no matter how you do it,” said Red Bluff P.E. teacher Kathy Byrd.
“We teach students the value of being healthy across the board,” added Red Bluff P.E. teacher Pam Straker. “P.E. is not just in the gym, it’s for life.”
Representatives from TAHPERD presented Byrd and Straker with the Level 1 banner on stage at the 2018 TAHPERD Convention in Galveston on November 30.
“The award has given Red Bluff a voice,” said Byrd. “Our school not only has received some very generous donations but other organizations and companies have wanted to team up us as a result of this award.”
“It was an amazing feeling to see our efforts pay off,” added Straker. “I am so proud to say I work at Red Bluff Elementary- an exemplary P.E. program…two times over.”
TAHPERD is a non-profit association committed to developing and enhancing programs that promote healthy lifestyles and physical activity. The organization is comprised of 4,500 professionals and students who represent various fields including health and physical education, recreation and dance.
(left to right): PISD Instructional Specialist for Coordinated School Health Alise Neff, Red Bluff Elementary P.E. teachers Pam Straker and Kathy Byrd, PISD P.E./Health and Wellness Coordinator Amber Macneish, PISD Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Marsha Jones
(left to right): Red Bluff Elementary P.E. teachers Pam Straker and Kathy Byrd
(left to right): Red Bluff Elementary P.E. teachers Kathy Byrd and Pam Straker