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Fillmore school adds skateboarding to gym class
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Photos by Juan Carlo / Star staff Hector Gallegos learns how to skateboard. Teacher Dave MacDonald proposed the idea, trying to find an activity that appeals to a broad range of his seventh- and eighth-graders.
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More from EducationA girl in blue and white gym clothes stood uneasily on a skateboard inside a Fillmore school gym, reached one foot toward the floor and pushed. A few classmates let out squeals as their boards barrelled past.
"That's it. That's it," teacher Dave MacDonald called out as he walked beside them. "You've got it."
It was the first week of skateboarding at Fillmore Middle School, a new addition to gym class this year and one that school officials say is a first statewide.
MacDonald proposed the idea, trying to find an activity that appeals to a broad range of his seventh- and eighth-graders. So in addition to hockey and soccer, students will spend three weeks learning the basics of skateboarding.
Skate Pass, a Colorado-based company, launched the program nationwide in 2006. Co-owner Eric Klassen, a former professional snowboarder, helped develop the curriculum to teach basic skateboarding skills in a noncompetitive environment. Schools in 10 states have adopted it, including Fillmore Middle School, the first in California, according to the company.
Students learn about body movement, spatial awareness and balance, all while working out their core muscles, MacDonald said.
He credited his 10-year-old son, an avid skateboarder, with giving him the idea. Teachers always look for ways to get their students engaged, he said, and in gym class, MacDonald has the added challenge of keeping them active.
A balancing act
After learning the right way to fall — on their knee pads, arms up — students have to master the art of balancing on skateboards, which the school provides. Before long, most are not only balancing but also carving giant half-moons around the gym floor and doing "grabs," holding the boards with one hand as they skate in a crouched position.
It "teaches you how to trust yourself," said Jasmine Medina, an eighth-grader.
Squeals filled the gym last week as some students struggled to gain control over their boards. A few still inched along, pushing every few feet. But MacDonald said he's seen small victories every day as the students' confidence grows.
"That's what it's all about," he said, "getting them to do something they didn't think they could do."
Before grabbing skateboards from stacks lined up near the gym stage, students have to strap on knee, wrist and elbow pads and pull white helmets over their heads.
"Safety: It's rule No. 1 on his list," eighth-grader Lindsey Torres said of MacDonald.
A set of 60 skateboards and safety equipment, plus the curriculum and teaching materials, cost Fillmore Middle School $6,000, which was paid for using a state grant earmarked for physical education equipment.
MacDonald lauded Fillmore Unified School District administrators, who supported his efforts to bring the program into the school.
Michael Bush, assistant superintendent of business services, said it was definitely unfamiliar territory. He typically sees a different side of skateboarding on campus: more of a nuisance that can bring damage reports to his desk.
"This is really out of the box for me," he said. But MacDonald was passionate and explained it would be a good way to get kids excited about physical education.
'Creating opportunities'
The new middle school program did prompt questions about safety and legal liability. "We researched it," Bush said, and it turned out the district's insurance policies treat skateboarding like any other gym class activity.
"I think it's great it's being put in place," said Jeffrey Stern of Thousand Oaks, who founded the California High School Skateboard Club and the National High School Skateboard Association last year. "This is all about creating opportunities. There's never been an opportunity to take up skateboarding at school."
Through his nonprofit association, Stern gives high school skateboarding teams the chance to compete in a league, without worries about school liability. When the second season opens in March, he expects to have 20 teams competing.
Skateboarding is a relatively new sport, Stern said, and "society has quickly rejected it." The stereotype depicts skateboarding as anti-social and skaters as hoodlums, but, Stern said, he works with hundreds of skaters and knows that's not the case. Programs like the one in Fillmore and his own might help broaden everyone's understanding of the sport.
They skate on the street because "they don't have the opportunity to go to skateboard parks," he said. "If society can start recognizing they're not bad people, maybe we can get more."
MacDonald said he has thought about starting a skateboarding club at the school eventually. Recently, a teacher at his school sent MacDonald an e-mail about a student who was never good at sports but couldn't wait to go to gym class to practice skateboarding.
"Here you've got this kid who might not be athletic, but a child who's having a blast," MacDonald said. They're learning new skills, keeping fit and "they feel good about themselves."
Posted by Face on February 8, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
No monies for music or arts, but plenty of money for this.... what a waste.
Posted by noclrlynz on February 8, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Face99
The grant was actually a HUGE grant, and included P.E., art, and music.
Posted by sdetatae on February 8, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What a great way to get kids active! I loved P.E. but remember plenty of friends that couldn't get excited about the traditional team sports we did. Skateboarding takes quite a bit of skill, technique, & fitness... I hope this helps get students off the couch after school by something introduced to them in the "classroom".
:)
Posted by billybobjcv on February 8, 2008 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's one way to stop skateboarding - make it part of the school curriculum and it won't be rad anymore...
Posted by dse_kpa on February 8, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
face99....it is not a waste if it inspires kids to be active in a creative way. how is this inspiration any different than being inspired by music or art? learning how to be active and healthy is just as important, and learning new skills such as skateboarding can build confidence in kids.
and don't get me wrong, because i whole heartedly agree that children deserve to be exposed to more fine arts/music in schools, for the same reasons as above...for inspiration, creativity, confidence, and 'hidden' talent. any type of new, creative program is not a waste, especially if it brings smiles and confidence to the kids!
Posted by dom_kenpo on February 8, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Skateboarding a waste? Obviously someone making such a comment has not tried it. It requires a great deal of physical agility, which is lacking in this Nintendo-laden generation. I mean, look what art has done for the French and their military might and victories!
Posted by guerodrex on February 8, 2008 at 11:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
FACE99: what makes music/fine arts any more important than physical education? We have a fabulous, award winning art program here at FMS. You need to get in touch with a little thing called reality.
Posted by Truth_Hurts on February 8, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Anything that can get kids off the couch and out from in front of the TV and is legal and confidence building is GREAT!!
What a forward "out of the box" move to make...I'm impressed and I think it this is brilliant!!
And for you old fogies out there...skateboarding is just as valid a sport as football or baseball or any other ....and what makes music and art so much better than physical education...
We have no lack of artists or musicians...we do however have a nation of fatties, getting bigger by the minute...myself included...anything we can do to spark the interest in physical fitness in our children is worth funding!!!
Posted by LadyEdHD on February 9, 2008 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Very cool Mr. MacDonald!
Posted by rgadams on February 11, 2008 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll give you some "art and music"...how about they start having these kids bussed out to Oxnard to paint over graffiti? There's your art. And they can listen to A-tracks while they do it. (Your music)
Posted by AnnaWhaat on February 11, 2008 at 8:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I really dont think this is such a great exercise as the regular PE classes. Running, Jumping jacks etc. And how many will be riding thier new hobby down Central Ave which is alread posted no skateboards..........and knocking people over. I guess after the first lawsuit when someone is badly hurt it will no longer exist. I just dont think this is a PE sport.......
Posted by Truth_Hurts on February 11, 2008 at 9:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Try getting a kid to "have fun" doing jumping jacks and running...
The point of this is to spark interest and make kids LIKE exercise...not just tolerate it.
How dense can you be?? And lawsuits??
How many kids have back, neck and head injuries from wrestling and football ...or knee injuries from hockey and basket ball?
You're just being narrow minded...Times change and fads change and the interests of kids are fleeting.
It's nice that the administrators at this school can SEE with a slightly broader view and can keep up with the times better than most folks.
Posted by JeannetteMedrano on February 11, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My son attends FMS and he had a blast. Thanks Mr. MacDonald for inspiring our children to try something new and challenging. For all who had positives, thank you.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on February 12, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Who said PE was suppose to be fun? How many hate math class and biology etc.
This may or maynot be a good thing for PE. I just hope that no one is injured.......
Posted by skater_junky on April 24, 2008 at 1:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
skating is the best way to get involved in physical activities so you who say that its a waste of money well,.....YOU'RE WRONG!!!!
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