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Fourth Grade Bicycle-Helmet Safety Program:
This bicycle and helmet safety program is taught by the physical education teacher to all fourth-grade students as a
part of the physical education curriculum. Teachers have received training in this program and through the generosity
of the Chesapeake Police Department and several local businesses, the school system has two fleets of bicycles that
are delivered to two schools every three weeks. Drive Smart Hampton Roads, and grants from DMV and the Chesapeake
Transportation and Safety Commission provided helmets. Students are taught the basic bicycle skills, traffic safety,
and the importance of wearing a helmet when using any recreational equipment. Volunteers from the Chesapeake Fire
Department help to maintain the safety of the bicycles.
YMCA of South Hampton Roads Learn-to-Swim Opportunities
Chesapeake Public Schools and the Chesapeake Family YMCA offer two opportunities for all fourth graders attending
Chesapeake Public Schools to learn to swim. The two programs, free of charge to Chesapeake fourth graders, are
designed for students who are non-swimmers. Although the lessons are designed for students who are non-swimmers, one
class per session is offered for children who already know how to swim. Information and permission slips are sent
home for the Spring Break Learn-to-Swim session around the second week of March and a letter with details for the
Summer Learn-to-Swim program is sent home the third week of May.
Project Fit America
Chesapeake Public Schools and Chesapeake General Hospital entered into a partnership in 1994 to provide elementary
and intermediate schools with the Project Fit America program. Project Fit America is a national, non-profit
organization which develops academic programs in schools to help get children fit. The program which consists of
outdoor fitness equipment, grade-by-grade curriculum, on-going support and assessment from Project Fit America is
designed as a supplement to the physical education program, a resource to be used during students’ recess time and by
families during after-school hours. Classroom teachers, students, and physical education teachers also receive training
in how to safely and effectively use the fitness equipment.
As of the end of the 2002-2003 school year, the
goal of the Chesapeake School System and Chesapeake General Hospital, which
was to provide the program to all of the elementary schools, 27 total, has
been completed. A testing program is conducted for two years at each of the schools that receives Project
Fit America. The assessment results have shown a consistent improvement in students’ fitness scores.
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