Spotlight - Governors Council on Physical Fitness and Sports

Principal In The Spotlight

Chris Paccione
Cardiff Elementary School

SILVER MEDALIST

Chris Paccione, physical education teacher at Cardiff School in San Diego County, has been selected as a finalist for Teacher of the Year for her leadership in creating a Body Shop fitness room for her school by gathering used fitness equipment for students and teachers. Mrs. Paccione introduced the Get Fit, Don’t Sit Equipment Bags program that allows students to bring home sports equipment to play with their family and friends and a Cardio Club running program that had over 400 student participants who ran 6,000 miles. In addition, Mrs. Paccione applied for and received a grant to get a salad bar to offer students and staff a healthier lunch menu.

More Principals In The Spotlight

Orange

Kurt Suhr Newport Heights Elementary
GOLD MEDALIST Kurt Suhr, Principal of Newport Heights Elementary School, has been selected as a finalist for Principal of the Year, for piloting a new approach to get physical education back into elementary schools. Principal Suhr’s leadership has influenced physical education instruction in more than 600 classrooms and 100 after-school programs across Orange County. In addition, Principal Suhr has implemented a Breakfast Club to reward students who walk to ... Read More »

Monterey

Jay Marden Carmel River Elementary
BRONZE MEDALIST Jay Marden, Principal of Carmel River School, has been selected as a finalist for Principal of the Year in part for organizing the “Run for Matt Run-a-Thon” to help Carmel River students deal with the grief of losing fellow 4th grader Matt Haines who died unexpectedly in March. Students ran 1,286 miles and raised over $13,000 in Matt’s name. Read More »

San Diego

David Sciarretta Albert Einstein Academy Charter
SILVER MEDALIST David Sciarretta, Principal of Albert Einstein Academy Charter Middle School in San Diego, has been selected as a finalist for Principal of the Year for his involvement in developing a physical education program that began with almost no funding, no locker rooms and no sports field. Principal Sciarretta helped organize the grand opening to their school’s fitness center, fundraised to support an after school sports league and ... Read More »