Learning new dance routines, hanging with friends, being active, getting cute tees, tote bags and water bottles—what’s not to love about being a member of the Move2Learn Step Club at James K. Polk Elementary School!
From lacrosse to boxercise, walking and running, to yoga and dance, the step club is one of 20 Move2Learn clubs throughout Alexandria public schools that create space for students to “belong,” building strong relationships and trust among students and their teachers. Over the past couple of years, they’ve become mainstays for ACPS students and teachers.
While all of the clubs are super popular, there’s far more to them than that: They’re a “need to have” program, not just a “nice one to have,” because they maximize academic success by improving behavior, mental health and attendance.
Coming to a close
With the fall semester coming to an end and winter break upon us, the clubs are winding down for 2024. But before we turn the page, here are a few more highlights!
- ACPS Chance for Change teacher Mr. Armbrister launched the walking club, and over half the students who attend school at this campus participated!
- The ACHS International Academy Girls Soccer Team that we run in collaboration with VFHY had seven new players this year, six of whom had never played soccer before.
- At Patrick Henry K-8 School, we launched two new clubs that targeted our middle school girls with overall exercise plus stationary cycling. In one of the clubs, the girls practice their English language literacy by reading and learning about female athletes for inspiration.
So much goodness
The benefits of our Outside the Classroom programming are plentiful. Teachers and students alike enjoy themselves and feel and see the difference they make. In addition, because they take place right at school, transportation isn’t an issue. AND, like all of our programming, they’re 100% free, removing the cost barrier.
There’s no substitute for in-person interactions, especially for our students. Social interactions make us better, by a lot, lowering cortisol and releasing dopamine, making us less stressed with a positive chemical boost. THIS is what Move2Learn programming is all about: Creating communities of real people in a real space in real time that motivate students to come to school, stay engaged and learn their best.
We had a great time this fall, and we’re excited about the returning as well as new clubs next spring! Wrestling at Polk, a mat class at Patrick Henry, a new step club at Hammond Middle School and so much more.
