Dear Rhode Island Leaders:
The benefits of physical education (PE) ring clear as a school bell. With PE, we can keep kids’ hearts healthy and their minds in gear to do their best at school. The fact is, active students focus and think better. That means higher test scores across the board. But the benefits don’t end there. Physical education addresses the needs of the whole child. Quality physical education programs provide the activity kids need for a positive impact on their physical, mental, and emotional health. PE programs improve judgment, reduce stress, and increase self-esteem. Making sure all students are getting physical education is a critical part of keeping kids healthy. Yet competing priorities are making effective PE programs increasingly less common.
Schools need support for physical education programs, facilities, and equipment so kids can be active. We know it can be difficult for schools to balance funding constraints, but together we can ensure our kids get a well-rounded education. Every student should have access to PE in school to help build a foundation for a healthy lifestyle.
We respectfully request that you prioritize physical education in Rhode Island and provide the funding/resources schools need to make certain all RI students receive effective PE.
Thanks in advance for helping our kids get a healthy start. Healthy Bodies = Healthy Minds!