National Physical Education and Sport Week-
Press Release

For more information, contact:
Your Name, Your Phone Number or Email
School Facebook and Twitter profile

[X]SCHOOL PARTICIPATES IN AAHPERD'S NATIONAL PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT WEEK  
May 1-7 Begins National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

Date, City of School, State – As part of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) is kicking off National Physical Education and Sport Week May 1-7, encouraging parents and teachers to help children explore a wide variety of physical activities to determine what they like and encourage them to participate in those activities on a regular basis. The physical activity-inspired week begins the physical fitness and sports inspired month.

         Although 38 states mandate physical education in elementary, middle/high, and high school, most do not require a specific amount of instructional time and more than half allow exemptions, waivers or substititions, according to the 2012 Shape of the Nation Report. "Currently, X school allots X amount of time for physical education per week. We're utilizing this nationwide occasion to raise awareness and emphasize the value of physical education in schools and its importance in fostering physically active students with healthy life-long habits," says Your Name, Title, School Name. 

         This year, the theme for the week is "Let's Move! Active Schools," the First Lady's unprecedented collaboration to bring physical activity back in American schools. "Research shows that quality physical education programs can contribute to students' regular participation in physical activity and can increase moderate to vigorous physical activity. The challenge is to help students identify a sport or activity that he or she enjoys as much as watching television or playing computer games," says AAHPERD President Gale Wiedow of Dakota State University in Madison, SD. "Our goal is to urge every school in the country to coordinate a physical activity event during National Physical Education and Sport Week which will help motivate students to jump start or stimulate their personal physical activity routine."

          During this special week, students of all ages will have an opportunity to participate in a wide-variety of physical activities, created specifically for each age group including:
[insert a few of your school's highlights of activities]

• X
• X
• X

For more information about May week, visit AAHPERD's media and advocacy webpage dedicated to this nationwide occasion.

About [School]
 

About AAHPERD
The mission of AAHPERD, an alliance of five national associations, six district associations, and a Research Consortium, is to advance professional practice and promote research related to health and physical education, physical activity, and sport. Founded in 1885, it is the largest organization of professionals involved in physical education, fitness, dance, school health and all specialties related to achieving an active, healthy lifestyle. A nonprofit organization, AAHPERD serves 20,000 members and has its headquarters in Reston, Virginia, 25 miles west of Washington DC. For more information, visit www.aahperd.org.

 -30-