Turtle Creek Elementary STEAM Academy and the Woodland Hills School District are honored to accept a $10,000 grant from the DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation as part of its Sports Matter program. Representatives from DICK’S Sporting Goods visited Turtle Creek on Friday, December 13 and presented the check as part of an assembly in front of all students and staff.
The Sports Matter program is part of the DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation’s mission to provide opportunities to youth in under-resourced communities and to support youth sports organizations who try to make a difference in the lives of young people.
The grant was made possible in part due to the work of school social worker Ms. Brittany Miller, who applied for the grant in the hopes of providing more sporting equipment and resources for physical education teachers Mr. Jeffrey Miele and Mr. David Kotts. She emphasized the importance of physical education classes for students, and not just from the standpoint of their physical health.
“It’s also good for their mental health and anxiety,” Ms. Miller said. “We have a lot of kids who need that break, and we know this is one of their favorite classes. Physical education is important for so many of our kids, and we were definitely in need of an upgrade. We’re very fortunate to have this opportunity.”
Jason Richards, a representative from DICKS’ Sporting Goods, presented the check for $10,000 to Mr. Kotts while Mr. Miele served as the master of ceremonies for the event.
As part of the celebration, Ms. Jolene O’Leary’s fifth graders wrote essays detailing the importance of physical education classes. Two students were selected to read their essays at the assembly Justine Acie and Lucy Marshall, whose essay was read by assistant principal Mr. Andrew Cress in her absence. Each essay shared the students’ personal stories of why physical education classes matter to them.
Spencer Morse shared an explanation of the grant and its purpose with his fellow students, while Mr. Cress and Mr. Jonathan Kim from the IT department put together a video featuring one student from each classroom, each of whom talked about the importance of physical education classes. You can watch the video below.
Mr. Kotts and Mr. Miele challenged three students and three staff members to take part in the Big Kahuna Challenge, which required them to try to make a basket from halfcourt. If they did, their class would get extra gym time. Ms. Sara Kennedy, Ms. Hannah Thompson, and Mr. Mike O’Leary each gave it a whirl but came up just short on their attempts. Students Jayceon Marshall, Charlie Craig, and Amir Winbush also took their best shots.
Turtle Creek Elementary STEAM Academy and the Woodland Hills School District are honored by the generosity from DICKS’ Sporting Goods and extend a heartfelt thank you for selecting the school for the Sports Matter grant.