Elm, Prospect and Walker Schools Earn Blue Ribbon Awards for P.E. Programs; Madison P.E. Earns "Highlight Award"

Elm School, Prospect School and Walker School in Community Consolidated School District 181 have earned the Blue Ribbon Schools Award from the Illinois Association of Health Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (IAHPERD). Madison and Monroe Schools learned recently that they had earned the award, as well. Oak School and The Lane received the award in the 2011-12 school year.

The designation, which is effective for a five-year period (2013-2018), followed a review of the physical education programs, visits to the schools, interviews with staff, students, parents, administration and Board members, as well as consideration by a state-level panel. The award recognizes the best physical education and health programs in the state; all Illinois public, parochial and alternative schools are eligible. During the review process, the school curriculum was measured against state and national professional standards and those of the Illinois State Board of Education. 

Maureen Fournier, chairperson of the IAHPERD Blue Ribbon Committee, stated to the schools, "Your dedication to your students and the physical education program is to be commended. As a recipient of this award, your school and staff will be a model of excellence in the state and provide encouragement for all schools in their pursuits to develop rigorous and effective physical education programs. You should be very proud of your program and we thank you for all the effort you have made to share it with others."

Schools will receive a large banner, a plaque and certificate and will be featured in the Illinois IAHPERD Journal.

In related news, Madison School P.E. teachers Jessica Czerniuk and Joan Rickert recently learned that the IAHPERD recognized their program “Recess Directors” with the organization’s 2013 Highlight School award for the Northeast District. Students in 4th and 5th grade volunteer to become Recess Directors at the beginning of the school year, Czerniuk and Rickert explain. The P.E. teachers train the students to play with 1st and 2nd graders, bringing equipment out to recess for them, organizing activities, playing together and sometimes serving as a referee. They are also trained to help guide students in conflict resolution. In an award letter, IAHPERD representatives commented that the program "exemplifies the importance of playground safety and rules through teamwork and physical activity."