Dodge Literacy Magnet Elementary School

We are the first school in the state of Kansas to receive STARS recognition, and are very proud of the accomplishment. Dodge Literacy Magnet Elementary is one of 62 elementary schools in the Wichita Public School system.  Wichita is the largest school district in Kansas.  Our school  has a student population that ranges 425 to 500 students per year.  We have over 85% economically disadvantaged students.  We try to provide every opportunity possible to engage our students, staff, and families in activities that will lead them to healthy and active lifestyles.  We believe that a quality physical education program will improve many areas in our students' lives.  In our classroom, we strive to integrate other curricular areas in an effort to enhance the total child.  When a student has the skills and knowledge to lead a healthy and active lifestyle, they can relate that information to other areas of their lives.  As they grow into adulthood and become productive citizens within their community, those skills will serve them well.

The mission of Dodge Literacy Magnet's Physical Education program is to provide students the opportunity to develop physically, mentally and socially through structured and non-structured activities.  This will be attained through the following call to action statements;   

• Physical Education will provide successful physical activity experiences for all children
• Physical Education will provide student recognition of the importance of self-worth and diversity
• Physical Education will provide activities for students to gain competence in motor skills, physical fitness, health and wellness
• Physical Education will provide opportunities for life-long enjoyment of physical activity

That will lead our students to live healthy and active lifestyles.

Primary students engage in activities including fundamental movement skills, rhythmic activities, and games that teach organization, listening skills, cooperation, social skills and spatial and body awareness.  Intermediate activities extend these skills to include manipulative skills of throwing, catching, dribbling, kicking, striking, rhythmic activities, and fitness activities.  Students at Dodge gymnasium are highly engaged in activities including roller skating, hockey, bowling, skateboarding, rock wall climbing and fitness activities, just to name a few.   Our program provides Saturday morning soccer clinics/and games, arranges for all 2nd grade students to participate in swim classes at the YMCA during class times, participation for 3rd grade students in Kansas Kids Fitness Day, provides opportunities for our 5th grade students to receive free tennis lessons and an all school trip to a Wichita State Women's Basketball game.   An outdoor activity path has been set up for students to engage in walking, intramurals, and other activities during their recess time.  One of our PE teachers dresses in costume and becomes "Professor BeHealthy" to present health lessons to classes in addition to their regularly scheduled physical education class twice a week for 45 minutes.  Students also receive additional music/PE/Art collaborative time while their classroom teachers engage in professional development once a month.  Physical education teachers also receive professional development each month provided by District Curriculum Coordinators.