By Mike Finney

WYOMING — W.B. Simpson Elementary School joined some exclusive company last week as it became just the second school in Delaware to receive a $10,000 grant in support of innovative physical education programming.

The grant was funded by Newark-based GOLO, a health and wellness solutions company, and developed and executed by Project Fit America, a national nonprofit that creates and administers fitness in education programming for elementary and middle schools.

A throng of excited students at W.B. Simpson Elementary gathered in the gymnasium for the special physical education assembly, which also featured performances by cheerleaders from Caesar Rodney High School.

Karine Scott, a physical education teacher at W.B. Simpson, was thankful that her school was chosen for the grant, which was awarded to the John R. Downes Elementary School in Newark last year.

“Physical education is so important for your well-being,” Ms. Scott said. “You need to be active and eat well and sleep well to learn as much as you can throughout your school and your lifelong goals.

“My goal as a (physical education) teacher is to give you as many opportunities as I can to learn new things, practice new sports. We’re roller skating right now, and that’s a lifelong activity.”

W.B. Simpson received fitness equipment and a supplemental physical education curriculum with games, activities and challenges for children.

Project Fit America will also provide on-site training support with Ms. Scott for the next two years.

Dr. Cora Scott, Delaware’s Department of Education secretary, saluted W.B. Simpson’s staff for pursuing the physical education grant.

“I’m super excited and happy to be here to celebrate this amazing recognition and award,” she said. “Congratulations W.B. Simpson Elementary School for placing such high priority and value of physical education by applying for a GOLO grant.

“This grant is an amazing opportunity to support social emotional learning, character development and leadership building through moving and physical activity. It is going to positively impact the culture of the W.B. Simpson Elementary’s overall school community for many years to come. So that’s super exciting.”

Karine Scott said the $10,000 grant is the value of the program, so she is not physically getting cash to spend.

“The $10,000 grant is actually a curriculum that is given to our school and the kids. So I don’t receive the $10,000,” she said, “but I plan to implement it to supplement our P.E. program and build a stronger quality fitness program for all our students to use, especially for their social-emotional skills, team-building skills, as well as their physical well-being.”

Caroline Collins, a student trainer at Simpson Elementary, was among the speakers at the award recognition.

“(Physical education) is important because it gives us exercise, which gives us strength, agility and endurance,” she said. “It also helps students with their mental health.

“At W.B. Simpson we practice caring, cooperation, assertiveness, responsibility, empathy and self-control. The P.E. program helps us to practice all these character traits.”

Jennifer Brooks, president and co-founder of GOLO, presented the grant to W.B. Simpson Elementary.

“I want to congratulate W.B. Simpson on getting this grant. I know that it’s going to benefit all the students,” said Ms. Brooks. “It’s also a celebration of the school’s commitment to creating a community of socially, physically and emotionally healthy students. I think for years to come the school is going to benefit.”

Following the presentation, students participated in demonstrations that originated from a series of fun physical fitness activities from Project Fit America.

Students dribbled basketballs, did situps and pushups, jumped rope, all the while earning “money” to purchase bones as they built a healthy skeleton.

The teachers even got in on the action as they participated in the “Hubba Hubba Challenge,” trying to keep their large hula hoop-type apparatus going around their waists in circles.

“We will be able to impact hundreds and hundreds of students,” said Stacey Cook, director of Project Fit America. “They love the lessons, games, challenges, and activities, and so do the P.E. teachers. It is a win-win for all, as the need to help children become active, fit, and healthy will never diminish.”

Staff writer Mike Finney can be reached at 302-741-8230 or mfinney@iniusa.org.
Follow @MikeFinneyDSN on X.