Michal Carrillo, of Lavaroots Performing Arts, leads kindergarten and first grade students in an impromptu dance at Waimea Country School while master drummer Fara Tolno provides a beat. (Photo courtesy of Waimea Country School)

MEDIA RELEASE

Waimea Country School’s physical education teacher Nanci Mahoney enjoys inviting community partners to enhance her regular P.E. instruction.

Rugby referee and long-time enthusiast Derek Stuart assisted the second through fifth graders’ during their fall rugby unit. Stuart focused on games that teach students to think while moving and that involve everyone.

Mahoney said, “I love how eager the students are to try rugby and it’s great seeing how much they enjoyed it.”

Stuart added, “The kids have good attitudes. They are enthusiastic and involved. They are willing to work with each other and they are keen to compete.”

Kindergarten and first graders participated in “PedEd” sponsored by PATH and taught by John Simmerman. These 4- to 7-year-olds learned important life skills involving street safety rules and traffic signs.

All of the students got to spend one of their P.E. classes in the neighboring There’s No Place Like Om yoga studio with Kathryn Wiese trying out some basic yoga moves. Every student also got to participate in an hour long West African dance session with Michal Carrillo, of Lavaroots Performing Arts, and Master Drummer Fara Tolno in the school’s backyard.

This week the students will benefit from a health and nutrition class taught by Angela Wolfenberger.

Wolfenberger said, “We all know that there are two components to maintaining a healthy weight. Children need to be physically active and they need to routinely make healthy food choices.”

“I’m really grateful that our community partners are making the time in their busy schedules to come to our school and teach our students about their areas of expertise. It has been great seeing how much my students have enjoyed it,” Mahoney said.

The students also expressed appreciation for their neighbors’ volunteerism. Most of the students interviewed said they were grateful for the special opportunity to learn new skills and new games.

Nic Barrick said, “Having a visiting coach for P.E. is really nice. It means you’re not doing just the same thing as last year or the year before.”

Xander Lai added, “I like it when we switch it up. It’s fun to get people that we don’t usually have.”

Mahoney is planning additional P.E. units with local coaches. If you would like to share your P.E. related skills, call 885-0067.

Founded in 1996, Waimea Country School’s mission is “to provide an outstanding K-6 child-centered, multiage and multicultural learning experience which incorporates the core values of inclusion and respect.” The members of the Board of Trustees are Felicity Johnson, Nancy Perry, Kelly Barrick, Randy Campbell, Lisa McCarthy, Desiree Watson and Scott March.

— Find out more:
www.waimeacountryschool.org