EXCELLENCE IN EXCERCISE EDUCATION: Ahead of the six-pack

Orr Middle School's physical fitness program comes out on top

Jenna Dosch/VIEWLexus Picquet, left, Lynn Oliver and Meagan Williams work out using new fitness equipment given to Orr Middle School by the President?s Council on Physical Fitness. The school received a $20,000 fitness training system. Above, Orr Middle School students use exercise mats and gym balls in a physical education class. Right, Amanda Miller throws air punches along with her classmates during a class at the 1562 E. Katie Ave. school. Photos by Jenna Dosch/VIEW Advertisement

Earlier this year, Orr Middle School was designated a President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Demonstration Center, along with seven other schools in the valley. The programs were selected based on criteria, and the designations were made by Partners for a Healthy Nevada, an obesity prevention coalition founded by the Southern Nevada Health District.

Orr, however, stood out from the pack and was chosen as the top school in the program.

The campus received a $20,000 fitness training system that includes fitness mats, exercise balls and a gym-sized screen that comes pre-loaded with instructional fitness videos.

"We chose that school because not only were they a phenomenal demonstration center, but they have a fitness culture," said Anne Lindsay, state coordinator for the President's Council.

Principal George Leavens rides around campus on a bike. The school's after-hours programs include physical fitness activities, and physical education instructor Brooke Haavind teaches kids about nutrition and how to cook healthy snacks at home.

"Their whole school environment promotes physical activity," Lindsay said.

P.E. Department Chair Lynn Oliver has been at Orr, 1562 E. Katie Ave., for six years and has worked to improve the P.E. program since she came on board.

"She's been very instrumental in keeping our kids on track," Leavens said.

Oliver helped create a warm-up routine for the middle school students to do every class, so they know what is expected of them. In addition, Oliver helped implement a strict dress-out rule that says if any student doesn't dress-out for P.E., he or she is sent home, and his or her parent will have to speak to a school administrator before the student can return.

"We have a fantastic administration," Oliver said. "They support us with that."

Oliver said part of her program's success is due to the large amount of equipment that Orr has, which has taken the school years to obtain.

"You name it, they have it," Leavens said.

Students at Orr can participate in a variety of activities, including dance, yoga, archery, gymnastics and weight training.

"It's very important that P.E. programs include physical activity," Lindsay said. "You don't have to be an athlete to be physically active."

In addition to the physical portion, students at Orr have begun food journaling this year.

"We're teaching them to be responsible for themselves," Oliver said.

Jose Loza and Abraham Gonzalez also are P.E. teachers at Orr, and they, like their colleagues, encourage their students to run in several races throughout the year. Orr's kids have run in the Niketown 5K and are planning to participate in Race for the Cure.

"It was really nice to finally be recognized for giving the kids an opportunity to try new things," Haavind said.

To be selected as a demonstration center the schools had to have eight criteria based on Nevada state and national standards.

"The teachers are doing a phenomenal job,' Lindsay said.

The criteria included promoting lifelong fitness and physical activity, maximizing participation and time in class, teaching a variety of fitness options, having pre- and post-fitness testing and teaching students what they're learning and why.