FlagHouse Congratulates Selma Middle School on Becoming a STARS School

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ - FlagHouse, the official physical education equipment sponsor for the STARS Program, is proud to congratulate Selma Middle School in Selma, IN on becoming a STARS school. The STARS Program is a national achievement program established by the National Association for Sport & Physical Education (NASPE). The program recognizes outstanding physical education programs K-12 in schools across America.

STARS schools provide meaningful learning opportunities for all students. Their physical education programs serve as models for others to follow and they exemplify excellence in teaching knowledge and skills of motor development and health related fitness. STARS award criteria are based on curriculum, instructional strategies, assessment and evaluation, communications and support resources; such as facilities, equipment, class time and teacher qualifications. Due to the rise in childhood obesity and the diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle, the need for quality physical education programs and instruction has never been greater.

Selma Middle School serves 282 students in grades 6 to 8. Physical education instruction is provided every other day all year for 6th graders and every other day for one semester for 7th and 8th graders. The program is driven by the same academic and planning standards expected of all other disciplines of the school. The curriculum focuses on team, individual and lifetime sports, and is routinely reviewed and enhanced. By teaching children healthy behaviors early on, their program ensures that students will continue to enjoy physical activity and achieve lifelong fitness.

FlagHouse, a global supplier of physical education equipment for education and recreation professionals, has been the official physical education equipment sponsor for the STARS Program for the last four years. Keith Gold, Senior Brand Manager at FlagHouse remarked, "We are proud that Selma Middle School and its staff is dedicated to providing a strong physical education program to their students. The number of overweight children ages 6-19 has more than tripled in the United States since 1980. This extra weight puts children at risk for a number of diseases. Quality physical education programs, like the one implemented at Selma, help to fight obesity and protect the future health of our children."

FlagHouse provides STARS recipients with a gift certificate to purchase new physical education equipment for their school. In addition, the company assists in funding the development of STARS PIPELINE Workshops each year. The workshops, held at the annual convention for the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, provide schools with the tools needed to successfully prepare their STARS application.  Workshop participants have the opportunity to review samples of winning STARS portfolios, discuss strategies for collecting and analyzing documentation and are taught how to effectively communicate program specifics.  Each year, FlagHouse awards up to 75 grants that allow teachers to participate in the workshop and obtain the knowledge necessary to build strong STARS portfolios.

For more information on how your school can apply for a grant to attend the 2009 STARS PIPELINE Workshop, please contact John Ruggiero at FlagHouse at 1-800-793-7900, x 7521 or email John.Ruggiero@flaghouse.com.

FlagHouse is a global supplier of physical education equipment for education and recreation professionals; as well as those who serve children and adults with physical and developmental disabilities. With operations in the United States and Canada, its mission is to enhance the quality of life for all people by providing resources for physical activity, recreation, therapy and the development and support of life skills. In addition to offering more than 20,000 products, FlagHouse features catalogs including Special Populations™, Sensory Solutions™, Physical Education & Recreation™, and CATCH® (Coordinated Approach to Child Health). For more information please call 1-800-793-7900 or visit http://www.Flaghouse.com.

Source: FlagHouse Press Release

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