SCHOOL SYSTEM BRINGS ACTIVE LEARNING PROGRAM TO AFTER SCHOOL STUDENTS

Coordinated School Health, After School Program, and Volunteers partner to offer PowerUp Your School at Dandridge and Mt. Horeb Elementary Schools

Both Dandridge Elementary and Mt. Horeb Elementary are now implementing the PowerUp Your School fitness and learning program as a part of their after-school activities thanks to support from the Jefferson County Schools Office of Coordinated School Health and student volunteers from Carson Newman University. 

“We’re excited to provide this opportunity for students in the afterschool programs.  It aligns with both the education and health focus of Coordinated School Health and engages students in learning in a fun, active way,” said Tabetha Colangione, Coordinated School Health Coordinator, Jefferson County Schools. 

PowerUp Your School is an evidence-based physical activity program aligned with academic standards.  Students build upon reading and math skills through exercises, activities, and games.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to start PowerUp Your School at Dandridge Elementary and Mt. Horeb Elementary,” said School Age Child Care Director, Tammy Gardner “We strive to provide programs that students will enjoy and enhance their after-school experience.  This collaboration with Coordinated School Health and volunteers from Carson Newman University helps make the PowerUp program possible.”

The PowerUp Your School physical activity sessions are taught once a week at each school by student volunteers from Carson Newman University.  All of the volunteers completed the program’s instructor training and will bring a fun energy to each lesson while serving as active role models for the after-school students.

With exercises and games like Shape Jumps, Guess the Steps, and Alphabet Relay, students are learning while getting active and having fun.  “This is an incredible experience for our kids.  They are absolutely loving it,” said Tiffany Warner, Site Director at Dandridge Elementary School.

Dandridge Elementary and Mt. Horeb Elementary are the first Jefferson County Schools to implement PowerUp Your School and will serve as a pilot sites for the district.  Following the pilot, the system hopes to expand the program to additional after school sites this fall.

The PowerUp Your School program is now being implemented in sixteen school systems across Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, Indiana, Arizona and Wisconsin.