Physical Education Body, Mind and Spirit brochure - Santa Cruz ...

How can I help with this project?
We are eager to find ways to continue this
project after the three years of funding from the
Department of Education end. We will be
looking for project sponsors in the martial arts,
fitness and business communities and we need
to find spokespeople, especially people in
public office or celebrities with influence.
Your networking can help us connect with
potential supporters. You can help promote this
exciting and innovative concept that has the
potential to positively alter the direction of
young lives.
How can I find out more ?
Contact the Santa Cruz County Office of
Education:
Sarah Ferguson, Project Coordinator
Student Support Services
(831) 479-5325
(831) 334-0402 cell
sferguson@santacruz.k12.ca.us
Or contact ETR Associates:
Bayla Greenspoon, Project Coordinator
(831) 438-4080 ext. 183
baylag@etr.org
Santa Cruz County Office of Education
809-H Bay Ave
Capitola CA 95010
(831) 479-5330
(831) 479-5312 fax
www.santacruz.k12.ca.us
ETR Associates
4 Carbonero Way
Scotts Valley CA 95066
(831) 438-4060
(831) 439-9651 fax
www.etr.org
Physical Education for
Body, Mind and Spirit
A project of
Santa Cruz County
Office of Education
and
ETR Associates
Funded by the Carol M. White Physical Education
Initiative at the U.S. Department of Education

What is the concept of Physical
Education for Body, Mind and Spirit?
Physical Education (PE) for Body, Mind and Spirit
is a PE program for alternative school youth which
incorporates martial arts, yoga, meditation and a
classroom-based nutrition module. The goal of
this three-year project is to increase the
participation of high school students in alternative
education programs in PE and improve their
ability to meet state PE standards. In addition, the
program will serve as a model that can be used
throughout the country.
What is the value of this project?
Physical education has been identified as a
general “best practice” for youth in alternative
school settings because it meets their kinesthetic
learning needs and supports increased self-esteem
and academic performance while reducing levels
of aggression and substance abuse. Martial arts
have been shown to specifically reduce violence
and delinquency and to improve mental health.
Who are the project partners?
This project is a partnership between Santa Cruz
County Office of Education (SCCOE) and
ETR Associates (ETR), a Scotts Valley-based health
education non-profit organization. The project
will be implemented in Alternative Education
Programs (AEP) throughout Santa Cruz County.
Funding is from the Carol M. White Physical
Education Initiative at the U.S. Department of
Education.
How will the classes be implemented?
The project is staffed by SCCOE personnel and
consultants from ETR. PE classes will be offered
by local instructors hired with grant funds.
Trained classroom assistants will assist
instructors to ensure a low student-to-teacher
ratio. AEP teachers will be consulted to guide
project staff in setting up the program in their
schools.
Typically, each module will run for eight weeks
and will be offered two or three times per
week, depending on the length of the class. In
addition, faculty in the AEPs will team-teach the
nutrition module with project staff.
How will we know if the PE program
is effective?
The effectiveness of the PE program will be
determined through careful research and
evaluation. A research team will measure students’
participation and progress. It is through
the information gathered in the process evaluation
that a model program will be created.
Consent to be included in this research will be
obtained from individual students/guardians .
Doesn’t teaching martial arts also
teach students to fight and
be violent?
Actually, research indicates the opposite!
Contrary to what you might expect, teaching
students martial arts has been shown to
reduce violence and drug use and increase
self-discipline and self-esteem. This method
of working with youth channels their energy
in positive ways and teaches them to be
responsible with the use of their strength.
...teaching students martial arts
has been shown to reduce
violence and drug use and
increase self-discipline and
self-esteem.
Are there other benefits coming out
of this project?
A manual will be developed based on the
results of the project. This manual will be
written for teachers and school
administrators as a guide on how to
implement a martial arts PE program with
alternative school students. This training
manual will document lessons learned and
effective practices that educators nationwide
can use to establish this type of innovative PE
program in their settings.