Physical Education
Physical education is a planned, sequential pre-k -12 curriculum program that follows national standards in providing developmentally appropriate, cognitive content and learning experiences in a variety of physical activity areas such as basic movement skills; physical fitness; rhythm and dance; cooperative games; team, dual, and individual sports; tumbling and gymnastics; and aquatics. Quality physical education promotes, through a variety of planned individual and cooperative physical activities and fitness assessments, each student's optimum physical, mental, emotional and social development; and provides fitness activities and sports that all students, including students with special needs, can enjoy and pursue throughout their lives. Qualified professionals such as physical education teachers and physical activity specialists provide physical education and related fitness activities.
Substantial evidence shows physical activity can help improve academic achievement (including grades and standardized test scores) as well as have an impact on cognitive skills and attitudes, including enhanced concentration and attention and improved classroom behavior.
Physical Activity
Strategies for Classroom Physical Activity
Integrating Classroom Physical Activity in Schools
School Walking Tracks
Sumner County Coordinated School Health installed walking tracks in elementary schools with funding from the Tennessee Department of Health's Project Diabetes grant!
PE Teacher Resources
Active Students, Active Learners
Plyoga 1 minute Exercise Videos
Sumner County SPARK Stars
We had a great SPARK training on 7/31/19, 7/30/20, 11/1/2021 and we have some PE teachers from across the county who are serving as SPARK stars. They are someone to reach out to for questions and suggestions about SPARK and PE in general. Here is the list:
Elementary School
Molly Bargery – H. B. Williams Elementary
Lynsey Evans – George Whitten Elementary
Bobby Moore – Gene Brown Elementary
Angela White – Dr. William Burrus Elementary
Kelsey Plummer/Shannon Brown- Vena Stuart Elementary
Darrick York- Clyde Riggs Elementary
Jackie Campbell- Benny Bills Elementary
Shawn Kring- Lakeside Park Elementary
James Monday - Portland Gateview Elementary
Alison Harris - Walton Ferry Elementary
Jamie Baker - Westmoreland Elementary
Middle School
Lynn Heath- Ellis Middle
Elyse Webb – V. G. Hawkins Middle
Matt Overton- Shafer Middle
Alexa Russell/Daniel Carter - White House Middle
Rachel James/Bill Runyon - Portland West Middle
High School
Greta Parker – Gallatin High
Cindy Towers – White House High
Mark Curry- Beech High
Alternative School
Ashley Maynard - R. T. Fisher Alternative (Elementary, Middle, & High School)
Sumner County Press Release - May 1, 2021
“SPARKing” Up Physical Education in Sumner County Schools
Sumner County Schools is implementing SPARK - The World’s Most Researched Physical Education and Physical Activity Programs Across their district!
Currently, this school year, twenty-six physical education teachers have received certification as a SPARK Certified Instructor for completion of the SPARKecademy.org online course work, as well as with the in-person training in 2019. Educators completed rigorous online courses, which covered evidence-based physical education best practices, and strategies to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), fitness skills, sport skills, and enjoyment of physical activity.
What is SPARK? “Well, we don’t have enough space here to even begin,” says Sumner County Schools, Coordinated School Health, (CSH) Coordinator, Janel Garrett. “Anyone who has ever experienced a SPARK training knows how life-changing it is. We have set a goal to become a SPARK District and are proud of the consistency in learning content and skills”. A brief summary is that SPARK is dedicated to creating, implementing, and evaluating research-based programs that promote lifelong wellness. SPARK provides curricula that aligns with SPAPE America’s National Standards and Grade-Level Outcomes for PreK-12 Physical Education, staff development training, equipment, and lifetime support. It is specifically dedicated to increasing the quantity and quality of physical education.
"Research states that it is essential for students to develop the foundations for healthy lifestyles at an early age. By doing so, they have a better chance of maintaining those habits into adulthood. With the SPARK PE program, schools can begin building those foundations and impacting student lives,” said Julie Frank, SPARK's Executive Director.
What does this mean for our school district? Sumner County Schools recognizes the link between student wellness and academic achievement. Healthy students are better learners! Our SPARK PE program produces positive results that impact students for a lifetime. Supervisor of Professional Growth, Dr. Jeff Yawn, supports this work wholeheartedly. He adds, “What a great opportunity to provide quality, evidence-based professional learning. “This showcases the drive the teachers of Sumner County Schools have toward growing professionally.”
Special recognition goes out to the following Physical Educators:
Beech Elementary, Kellie Merritt
Benny Bills Elementary, Jackie Campbell
Clyde Riggs Elementary, Darrick York
Gene Brown Elementary, Bobby Moore
Guild Elementary, Lee Smith
George Whitten Elementary, Lynsey Evans
H. B. Williams Elementary, Molly Bargery
Howard Elementary – Jeff Wynn
Nannie Berry Elementary, Ellie Campbell
Vena Stuart Elementary, Kelsey Plummer and Shannon Brown
Walton Ferry Elementary, Alison Harris
Watt Hardison Elementary, Marty Kirkham
Westmoreland Elementary, Jamie Baker
Ellis Middle School, Lynn Heath
Merrol Hyde Magnet School, Will Duke
Portland West Middle, Bill Runyon, and Rachel James
V. G. Hawkins Middle, Elyse Leach, and Edward Newton
Beech High School, Seth McFerrin
Hendersonville High School, Jeffery Stone
Portland High School, April Lane, Justin Martin, Mark Nelson, and Scott Steinbrecker
2021-2022 School Year Certifications
Molly Bargery, HB Williams Elementary - has not yet been processed, but she has completed the reflection
Fred Combs, JW Wiseman Elementary - reflection not yet submitted (I emailed 1.13.21 to update Fred)
Brandon Averite, Hendersonville High School - has not yet been processed, but he has completed the reflection
Kelly Reed, Hendersonville High School - has not yet been processed, but she has completed the reflection
Tanisha Tucker – Portland High School - completed and processed
Doug Guelde, Portland High School - reflection not yet submitted
PACER Resources
The Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) is a state-mandated aerobic capacity test for grades 4, 6, 8, and high school Wellness. It replaced the mile run in the 2013-14 school year.
-New PACER Remixes- Fun Music with Encouraging MCs!
- PACER 15M Music
- PACER 20M Music
- PACER Lesson Example
- PACER Cheat Sheet
- PACER Training Video from California Department of Education
Professional Development
-We provide professional development opportunities for PE teachers district wide throughout the school year.
Walk Across Sumner
Walk Across Sumner is a 4-week physical fitness campaign that encourages Sumner County students to get up and get moving for 30 minutes a day, 6 days a week. Any type of physical activity is encouraged!
The goal of Walk Across Sumner is to create and encourage healthy lifestyles. The CDC recommends that children get 60 minutes a day of physical activity, 6 days a week. Walk Across Sumner encourages students to get an extra 30 minutes a day beyond what is now required by the new PA law (130 minutes for elementary and 90 minutes for middle and high per full school week).
The first annual Walk Across Sumner Superhero 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run was on April 6, 2019.
Our next annual Walk Across Sumner Superhero 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run will be on Saturday, September 17, 2022. This event will coincide with the annual Sumner County Sheriff's Child Health & Safety Day in Gallatin. Stay tuned for updates.
Physical Activity Law, TN - HB2148
a. Each Local Education Agency (LEA) shall integrate the following periods of physical activity into the instructional day for all students:
i. For elementary school students, a minimum of one hundred thirty (130) minutes of physical activity per full school week; and
ii. For middle school students, a minimum of ninety (90) minutes of physical activity per full school week.
b. To satisfy the requirements of section (a), an LEA shall offer elementary students at least one (1) fifteen (15) minute period of physical activity per day.
Go here for full details of the Physical Activity Law.