San Diego/Imperial
Regional Award Winner
Regional Award Winner
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Pepper Drive Elementary submitted the following three essays for consideration of the Governor's Challenge Competition Grand Prize: Essay 1 - Commitment to Promoting Healthy Eating on Campus “I ate an apple today instead of Cheetos.” “I love kiwis!” This is music to our ears! Our students think about what kind of fuel they put into their bodies!! Pepper Drive teachers always look for ways to incorporate discussions on good nutrition into our curriculum. We turn to MyPyramid.gov, Dairy Council, and the Heart Association for innovative lessons on good nutrition. Teachers developed a nutrition website list to help all teachers design fun lessons and activities. First grade classrooms grow vegetables and have a “Salad Celebration.” Third grade is piloting a “Harvest of the Month” program, including tasting, comparing, and incorporating the featured fruit or vegetable into all areas of the curriculum. Kindergarten classes learn all about apples and making applesauce… from scratch! Intermediate students jump into roles during Colonial Days, when they experience foods (and the lack thereof) of those time periods. Middle school students vote on healthy snacks to be offered for sale at the student store. In their social studies classes, they learn the important role nutrition plays in historical events. Pepper Drive staff continuously spread the word and model healthy living. A pediatrician visits Pepper Drive twice a year. The doctor emphasized diet, obesity in children, and Type 2 diabetes. Good nutrition is also promoted outside of the classroom. There is always a fresh fruit and vegetable choice in the Pepper Drive cafeteria. The cafeteria staff makes it a priority to encourage students to make a healthy choice. A list was developed for parents to encourage sending healthy food or nonfood items for class parties and birthday celebrations. Pepper Drive staff members were part of the 2006-2007 Santee School District Wellness Committee, dedicated to making district-wide changes in healthy eating. Healthy kids make better students and better students are best for Pepper Drive School! Essay 2 - Support of Students’ Physical Activity and Fitness Inspired and innovative physical activities are an integral part of the environment at Pepper Drive School. Unique all-school Saturday hikes around San Diego County are promoted to students, parents and staff. A before-school exercise time was created this year that included jogging, jump rope, hula-hooping, and basketball skills. The November Turkey Trot Race, is eagerly anticipated and trained for by all at Pepper Drive School. Students, staff and parents compete furiously for a coveted frozen bird! Middle School students compete annually in the Wolf Pack Invitational Track Meet at West Hills High School. Winners proudly wear their medals the next week at school, inspiring younger students to want to compete. Intermediate students compete annually in the Santee District Junior Olympics sponsored by the Santee Kiwanis. Students in grades three to eight participate in district wide basketball and volleyball tournaments at Santana High. Primary students (grades EAK-2) are encouraged to learn new athletic skills and games during PE and at recess. All grades have the opportunity to join organized physical activities offered before and after school, on campus. These programs include: Heartlight Aerobics, Project Safe (a before and after school program for students of working parents), Sunshine Club ( a weekly club providing game time), Softball and Soccer Leagues, and Karate and Cheer Lessons. Our school sends fliers home to promote activities sponsored by the Santee Recreation Department, Boys and Girls Club and the Y.M.C.A. The effect of these endeavors on our students’ wellbeing and fitness levels is evident at all levels in the classroom. Students are more alert and ready to learn each day. Our “Tigers” can’t wait to write, draw, and talk about the fun they had while being active at school-sponsored events. We at Pepper Drive School are proud of our tradition of promoting and supporting physical fitness. Essay 3- Need For a New Fitness Center “Pepper Drive is the most worthy school to win the Governor’s Challenge Award because it has coordinated an exceptional Physical Education program and Wellness instruction for all students. Pepper Drive facilitated a stellar commitment to healthy eating and physical activity.” Lis Johnson, Superintendent, Santee School District. Pepper Drive School is unique in that it services pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. It is located in an unincorporated area between the cities of El Cajon and Santee. Because of this, the students of Pepper Drive do not have ready access to joint use, city owned turf fields or other recreational facilities. We have maximized school and community resources for physical fitness programs. The FIFTY-year-old campus is the oldest in the Santee School District. Pepper Drive has the highest percent of English Language Learners and biggest Title 1 population in the district. The largest indoor space is the library/media center, which is not conducive to vigorous physical activity. Even the opportunity to walk to school is severely limited by the lack of sidewalks on some of the routes to the campus. Our new fitness center would provide a focus for a school wide fitness program, modern equipment that is in good repair and easily accessible, and a place for safe, active indoor PE during inclement weather (both high heat and rainy days!). The new exercise facility is a logical progression toward our ultimate fitness goals. Utilizing the center throughout the school day would benefit EVERY student in our K-8 school. Our local community would be able to participate in off-hour fitness activities. The Governor’s Challenge has provided the focus on positive lifestyle and participating in it has created the momentum to perpetuate a lifelong, healthy habits culture. Pepper Drive School has earned a state-of-the-art fitness center by unequivocally demonstrating dedication to the Governor’s Challenge. |
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