Bluffton Local Schools’ Activated School Challenge Program
Activate Allen County held it’s 2016-2017 Activated School Challenge Award Ceremony (sponsored by St Rita’s Health Partners) earlier in 2017. One of the winners this year was Bluffton Local Schools. The Activated School Challenge was a way for our local schools to consider ways to increase the health and wellness of students and also provide some start of funds to get new projects underway. The Pirates are creating an exciting physical education program for their middle school students and we are excited to tell the community about their plans.
The goal for the program is for Bluffton students to become more physically active and discover ways to continue to be life-long, active adults. They will be achieving this through a new archery program. Mason Roth, Bluffton PE teacher spoke about the program at Bluffton, “First, I would like to say thank you to St Rita’s Health Partners, Josh Unterbrink and Activate Allen County for this opportunity. They have provided us with an opportunity that wouldn’t have been feasible without the help of this program. With the award, Bluffton is in the process of obtaining archery equipment to add to our PE equipment inventory. We are going to buy 10 brand new archery bows, a set of arrows, six foam targets, and two mats to protect the wall from arrows. The students are excited for the equipment to arrive. The students have been asking daily when the equipment and new program will be implemented. When the equipment arrives, I will be able to introduce a new activity to the students that breaks away from the normal PE class expectations. In the future, I would like to possibly explore the options of an Archery Club. Once again, I would like to say thank you to Activate Allen County and St Rita’s Health Partners for presenting this great opportunity to the students at Bluffton.”
Bluffton Local Schools are setting a great example when it comes to educating their students about all types of physical activity. Alternative sports and physical activity opportunities are an important way to motivate and encourage all students and student interests. We commend Bluffton Local Schools for making their community healthier. If you have questions about the Activated School Challenge, please call the Activate Allen County office at 419-221-5035.