Physical Education and Nutrition Initiative (PENI) Project

The Physical Education Program, Physical Education and Nutrition Initiative is a three-year U.S. Department of Education, Carole M. White Grant which will be awarded to 17 middle or K-8 schools in the San Francisco Unified School District ( SFUSD) for the 2005-2008 time period.

 Benefits of the PENI Program

• Increase physical activity
• Use of research validated curricula in physical education and nutrition
• Professional development
• Additional funds for stipends and physical education equipment
• Increase in positive school climate
• Parent outreach

Program Elements

• Increase physical activity for students before school, during lunch time, during the day, and in the after-school hours
• Provide professional development opportunities for identified school site staff including: physical education teachers, physical activity leaders currently facilitating the before-school and lunch-time activities and After School Program staff
• Increase family awareness and participation in physical and nutrition activities
• Empower SFUSD after school staff to implement a high-quality, structured physical education/activity program at their program site.

Program Staff  

Physical Education Nutrition Leaders (PENL)

• Provide the required 40 minutes of structured physical activity component in the after-school program every week and be familiar with California Physical Education Standards.
• Ensure implementation of the research validated physical education program SPARK curriculum and nutrition program Planet Health into the after school program.
• Communicate with regular day staff regarding professional development opportunities on physical/nutrition programs and encourage participation and implementation during the day.
• Conduct a family physical activity health night once per semester and participate in two school-wide health promotion events such as February Physical Activities Awareness month in collaboration with physical education teachers and Physical Activities Positive Alternatives Coordinator.
• Monitor and make accessible the SPARK physical education equipment for the site after school program staff, physical education teachers, and Physical Activities Positive Alternatives Coordinator.

Physical Activities Positive Alternatives Coordinator

• Work with Physical Activity Leaders to increase physical activities before school and during lunch time periods at their site with 30 additional hours of funding (in addition to their regular 120 hours).
• Assist in planning family physical activity health nights (in collaboration with the Physical Education Nutrition Leader) at least once per semester.
• In collaboration with the Physical Education Nutrition Leader help monitor equipment at school site.

Regular-school day physical education teacher:

• Receive professional development on the research-validated program SPARK.
• Receive access to SPARK physical education equipment and monitor equipment.
• Assist in planning family physical activity health nights at least once per semester.

For further information contact us.