The First Tee Advocates for Physical Education

On August 28, 2016, The Pilot ran our bi-weekly blog titled, “School Program Presents Golf As Part of an Active Lifestyle.” The piece explained how The First Tee’s National School Program brings curriculum to gyms, hardtops and green spaces across elementary schools in the Sandhills – teaching students The First Tee’s Nine Core Values and Nine Health Habits – through their favorite local physical education teacher. Last Monday, we delivered this message again, except this time, in a slightly different tone. Instead of focusing on the continued education we provide physical education teachers to stay up to date with national standards or the volunteers we recruit to join PE Teachers in program delivery; Monday’s message was about the importance of continued partnership and delivery in Moore County Schools. Today, we would like to re-iterate this message. In partnership with the school system, during the 2012 and 2013 school years, we introduced all 14 elementary schools in Moore County to The National School Program. While the up-front investment for this program was about $5 per elementary age child, the equipment carries a long life expectancy and there is no annual financial up keep cost incurred by the physical education department. The National School Program is a structured physical education curriculum that promotes motor skills as well as health and character development in every lesson. Four objectives of the program include: To develop student appreciation for the positive personal and social values associated with golf. To present golf to students as a lifelong, health-enhancing activity. To engage students in activities that lead to motor skill development. And, to enable physical educators to introduce golf in a developmentally – appropriate manner, consistent with national standards. In 2013, The First Tee commissioned a case study to examine the National School Program in districts across the country that included chapters of The First Tee. (Like us here in the Sandhills!) Findings supported the long-standing belief in the power of the additive effect when promoting positive youth development. Kids who attended The First Tee Chapter Program in addition to exposure in the elementary school physical education setting showed the most benefits from exposure. These youth self-reported knowing how to behave, knowing how to work well with others, taking care of equipment and playing for fun! While, generally speaking, some families steer clear of golf as an activity due to the misunderstanding that it’s too expensive… today, that child has the chance to learn golf and life in PE class, then continue into program at The First Tee of the Sandhills, where no child is turned away because of financial need. The impact that the sport provides to youth strongly out ways its financial misconceptions. Remember, at The First Tee, golf is merely a vehicle for us to deliver character development programs to young people. In my eyes, our mission is very similar to that of Moore County Schools. We both want to be a part of developing a well-rounded child that is a productive citizen of the community upon graduation. The First Tee of the Sandhills would like to continue to fund, grow and expand the National School Program and its benefits within Moore County Schools. However, if funding for Physical Education is drastically reduced or eliminated, we will be unable to do so. A healthy PE Partner is essential to continue to make an impact! Thank you to the physical educators for sharing in our advocacy of young people. We hope to be able to continue to grow good kids, together.