Program Designed to Reverse Trend of Youth Inactivity and Offset Funding Shortages That Have Caused Reductions or Elimination of Elementary School P.E. Programs

Garret Anderson & kids

ALHAMBRA, Calif -- Nov. 20, 2003 – The children of Garfield Elementary School in Alhambra had a new P.E. teacher today when Anaheim Angel All-Star Left Fielder Garret Anderson showed up for the launch of NikeGO’s PE2GO program.  Anderson was joined by Alhambra Mayor Talmage V. Burke, School Superintendent Dr. Julie Hadden and Nike Community Affairs and Communications Director Celeste Alleyne.  The pilot program funded through NikeGO is being implemented in six cities, including today’s launch in Los Angeles, and is designed to increase physical activity in youth ages 8 – 15.

Each of the selected schools receives customized curriculum designed to meet the needs of their 4th and 5th grade students; customized staff training for 4th and 5th grade teachers; and an equipment package from Nike and Sportime valued at over $10,000 retail.

Schools were selected based upon the following criteria: serving lower income students, location in underserved neighborhoods and those having diverse populations. The four schools in Alhambra are: Baldwin Elementary, 900 S Almansor Street; Fremont Elementary, 2001 Elm Street; Garfield Elementary, 15 West Alhambra Road; and Park Elementary, 301 North Marengo Avenue.

Recent statistical data supports the need for increasing, not cutting, physical education classes in America. Children today are expected to have shorter life expectancies than their parents due to inactivity and diet. According to the CDC, one out of three kids born in the year 2000 is anticipated to develop Type II diabetes unless their diets and levels of activity change significantly. Overweight adolescents have an 80 percent chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.

Nike athlete LeBron James and U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona were on hand in early September to launch the program in Akron, Ohio.  PE2GO programs are currently in Akron (OH), Chicago, Los Angeles, Memphis, New York and Portland (OR).