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What goes on “Outside the Classroom”

What goes on “Outside the Classroom”

I’m really excited to fill you in on how our one-of-a-kind Outside the Classroom programs are going. From Alexandria City’s public elementary schools to high schools, the benefits of our 10 new and 10 returning programs are all-important to the well-being and social-emotional health of our students and key to their academic growth. Oh, and did I mention they’re fun?!

Starting with Chance For Change, a campus of Alexandria City High School, some students, normally with restricted access and no PE, now have the benefit of getting outside a couple of times a week during the school day for fresh air and exercise, to refresh and reset. And it’s a really big deal to them—and to us.

The young adults are members of the Move2Learn Walking Club, the first of our Outside the Classroom at CFC. The walks are part of their social, emotional and academic learning time that focuses on the body-mind connection and teaches them how to recognize and manage stress, anxiety and other strong emotions using movement. Understanding that body-mind connection helps them overcome feelings that get in their way of learning.

That’s the science of movement. And that’s the reason for all of our programming and why we’re committed to make it happen and keep it going for our students.

One way we do that is to make sure everyone has what they need to participate: Equipment like yoga mats, lacrosse sticks, boxercise gloves, jump ropes and fitness trackers as well as essentials like shoes, socks, sports hijabs and even sports bras—you name it, we provide it.

What makes us stand out from other programs?
    • Our programs are led by teachers and counselors who have key relationships with students and know and understand their complex needs. These trusted connections support students’ sense of belonging and get kids eager to get to school on time and to stay there.
    • They take place right at their schools, mostly the middle and high schools, removing the barrier of transportation.
    • Teachers choose the activity based on student interest. Some of the most popular programs include run/walk, yoga, dance and overall movement.

Our largest purchase so far has been athletic shoes—upward of 250 pairs—that we bought and delivered to students participating in nine of our programs. But first we had to measure all those feet—that was a lot of measuring.😊

All of this is absolutely FREE to students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to participate.

We’re excited about our unique programming and its growth and impact to help our students learn their best. If you’d like to learn more, feel free to reach out!

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is now

Brooke Sydnor Curran, president and CEO of Move2Learn and the former “runner” of RunningBrooke, shares the story behind our new name and look.

Hecho de la diversión

Tararea tres notas de la mayoría de las canciones de rock/pop en la radio entre 1965 y 1983 y ¡lo nombraré!

Brooke Sydnor Curran

Presidenta y CEO

Empecé a correr cuando era padre de tres niños pequeños para pasar un tiempo a solas. Todavía corro porque es una buena carrera y es una excelente manera de comenzar mi día: pienso mucho durante esas primeras horas de la mañana. Cuando termino, me siento concentrado y listo para enfrentar el mundo.

Hoy en día, la ciencia respalda la evidencia de que correr y el ejercicio en general mejoran no solo la salud emocional, sino también el flujo de sangre al cerebro, lo que facilita concentrarse en la tarea y aprender mejor. Esto es especialmente cierto para los niños en edad escolar, que pasan gran parte de su tiempo en las aulas y se espera que presten atención y hagan su trabajo.

Sin una salida para dirigir positivamente la energía y aumentar el flujo sanguíneo para apoyar la función cerebral, la concentración se resiente, lo que puede ser desastroso para muchos niños.

Mis años de primaria y secundaria

Sé lo que es ser el estudiante que no puede quedarse quieto, tiene dificultades para concentrarse y escuchar al maestro. Ese era yo de niño. Siempre me llamaban por interrumpir el salón de clases. No fue hasta que fui adulto que entendí la relación positiva entre el movimiento y el aprendizaje.

Miro hacia atrás a esos años y los efectos persistentes con empatía por esa niña, pero sé que no estaba, y no está, sola.