CDE Events

Keep Gym in School, Kepner Middle School

Sept. 14, 2010

Educating the whole child is something I speak about often, so when I was asked to participate in the "Keep Gym in School" event, I couldn't have been more excited. Keep Gym in School is a day-long mini-camp and celebration of Kepner's physical education facilities, which were refurbished with an $25,000 grant. Sponsored by the NFL Network, Comcast Corp. and the Denver Broncos, the school has already used a portion of the grant to install a climbing wall and purchase volleyball sets. 

This exciting event brought the support of Denver Bronco Brian Dawkins and Scott Hanson, host of the "NFL Red Zone."

Students at Kepner showed their support for staying physically active. Cheerleaders from neighboring Lincoln High School performed several cheers on stage.

Fifty-five percent of high school students in Colorado don't have physical education classes once a week. Eighty percent don't have P.E. everyday. Programs like Keep Gym in School shine a light on the importance of physical education for every student.

I want to personally thank Principal Frank Gonzales (second from left) and Denver Public Schools Superintendent Tom Boasberg (holding sign) for placing such high value on physical education. I also would like to thank Bronco Brian Dawkins for his powerful message, "Encourage one another out in the schoolyard. Let's get out of the house and find something we can do together. Stay in school and stay active, it will follow you throughout your life."