Gowanda Elementary School students play with a parachute during field day this past June.
GOWANDA – Students at Gowanda Elementary School are poised for a strong start this month thanks to a valuable infusion of gym equipment and training for its Physical Education programs through grant funding.
The products and services are granted by the School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences at San Diego State University and provided by SPARK. Gowanda Elementary is one of only 11 schools across the country to be awarded the grant.
Gowanda teacher and coach David Bolen, in collaboration with student-teacher Tyler Regan from The State University of New York at Fredonia, applied for and secured a SPARK Equity Award valued at $3,304.23. Bolen credits Regan for helping gather information and helping write the successful application statement in early 2024.
“In addition to helping refresh some of the well-loved equipment in constant circulation, this equipment supports a wide array of activities,” noted Bolen.
Bolen added that he and his colleagues are looking forward to completing the online training portion of the grant. “All our students learn the basics of dribbling, overhead throw, passing, setting, and strengthening other skills,” he said.
Students at GES will benefit from the award during the 2024-2025 academic year. Along with the SPARK Inclusive PE Guidebook and curriculum materials that align with national standards, GES received cones with cone displays, poly-spots, bean bags, foam balls, and a 24-foot parachute.
Bolen is eager to incorporate the new equipment into daily lessons. He claims it will be used to help students with coordination, team-building, cooperative activities, direction-following while also serving as building blocks for sports involvement.
In addition to the equipment, GES also receives SPARK K-2 PE Set 3 Curriculum and an inclusive guidebook (both in digital and print) as well as 16 credits of SPARKecademy online training.