Can you imagine elementary school without gym class? The first school we started work with had no physical exercise program in place because of a lack of space, and classroom teachers were called upon to improvise ways to incorporate activity within the classroom.
RBKids believes that every child needs the opportunity to move and stretch during the school day – especially when student obesity rates are rising. That’s why we’re collaborating with a school-based health care program and the NYC Department of Education to develop a physical education program that fulfills state and local curriculum requirements in both the arts and physical education.
Musical theater is good exercise and the goal of the program is to inspire lifelong fitness by providing instruction in dance, theater and music for pre-K through 5th grade. The program plans to include partnerships with both the school-based health care program, which is affiliated with NYU/Bellevue facility and with the NYC Department of Education’s Regional Arts Supervisor and Office of Fitness and Physical Education. In fact, we were elated to find out that the Office of Fitness and Physical Education is as enthusiastic about the idea as we are.
We are currently seeking funding for this program from foundations and governmental agencies. A pilot program will take place beginning in January 2007 at one school, with an anticipated full program start date of September 2008 in our new building. Ideally, RBKids will form a curriculum model to replicate with other schools who are in need of quality, creative physical education programs.