Kevin Rolston, PE teacher at Welborn Elementary School, helps a student with some tumbling moves.  (Photo from Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools)

   Kevin Rolston’s goal as a physical education teacher is to get kids moving – to entice them to become more physically active. In a high-tech world where computers and video games are all the rage, this can sometimes be a challenge.

   But a $3,000 grant from PE for Life is helping him to build a powerful program that will help him reach his goal.

   PE for Life is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing active and healthy youth by increasing access to quality physical education. The organization offers professional development and support to educators who want to make positive changes in their schools and communities.

   This is Rolston’s first year at Welborn Elementary School, and his second year teaching in the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools. He is enthusiastic about his work and his mind is brimming with ideas about how he can access the right equipment and space to make his program rewarding and highly effective. And he has welcomed the support that PE for Life has provided in terms of helping him to have a more well-rounded program.

   He used his grant money to purchase a portable sound system that will allow his voice to be projected to students as they participate in activities both in the gym and outdoors. He also has purchased two X-Box 360+Kinect systems and televisions to provide students with access to the latest craze called “exergaming.” The systems offer “full body gaming” experiences for students. He plans to set up fitness stations on the stage area of the gym where students can play. He also will have aerobic steps and exercise balls the students can use.

   “It’s an evolutionary process,” Rolston said. “As things change and technology gets better, we need to evolve and change the ways to motivate kids.”

   Many would say that PE has changed. And it may look that way, but the principles are still the same. The goal is still to keep students active and physically fit to enhance their health.

   “We still play kickball and some of the standard games, but we’ve changed the game and many others, to make them even more interactive for students,” Rolston said.

   He explained that in kickball, for example, four or five balls are used instead of just one so there are more students kicking at the same time and there’s more action.

   He’s quick to note that while he encourages any type of movement to keep kids physically fit, he always emphasizes that “being good” at an activity is not the goal. The goal is to try and to keep moving.

   He also works with the classroom teachers in his building to incorporate a bit of fitness into their daily routine with students. Things like “brain breaks” is what he recommends. An example of one is the “Ear and Nose Switch” where students touch their nose with one hand and stretch their arm across their face to touch their ear with the other hand, then they switch. 

   “My job is to keep kids moving to impact their overall health,” Rolston said.   

   Tammy Dodderidge is the communications manager for the Kansas City, Kan., Public Schools.