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Girls on the Run teams present program to Laconia School Board, spotlight middle-school "Heart and Soul" club
Summary
Coaches and students from Girls on the Run spoke to the Laconia School Board May 6, describing the program's social-emotional curriculum, community 5K events, and a new middle-school "Heart and Soul" running club. Board members praised the program and received an "Energizer" award from participants.
Coaches and students involved with Girls on the Run programs in Laconia presented to the Laconia School Board on May 6, describing how the program combines physical activity with social-emotional learning across the district's elementary schools and a new middle-school "Heart and Soul" club.
Princess Champlin introduced coaches and staff and invited participants from Elm Street, Pleasant Street, Woodland Heights and Laconia Middle School to share short remarks and highlights. Coaches and students described team-building lessons, the program's emphasis on trying hard rather than being the fastest, and a culminating 5K event that participants attend together.
Ann Yousaf, a sixth-grade teacher and coach, said her coaching experience helps her connect with students when they arrive at the middle school: "I never leave practice without feeling, like, on top of the world," she told the board. A student, Gabrielle Yusa, described how crossing the finish line makes her "brain light up." Elm Street coach Tori Chase said the initiative supports both emotional growth and fitness: "As a social worker, the social emotional curriculum is right up my alley," Chase said.
Lindsay Bullen, the middle-school physical-education teacher who coaches the Heart and Soul club, said the program provides a same-gender space where middle-school girls can focus on movement and confidence-building: "This gives them another place for them to go where there's no boys and they can kind of be themselves," she said. Penny, a middle-school coach, described Heart and Soul as a program that meets twice weekly to build confidence, set goals and prepare for year-end 5K events.
Board members thanked the coaches and students for their presentation; coaches gave the board an "Energizer" award and led a short, celebratory demonstration. Administrators noted Girls on the Run serves grades three through five at the elementary level and extends programming into middle school through Heart and Soul; the presenters said there is not a formal high-school extension, but older students may return as team helpers or assistants.
The board had no formal action to take on the presentation and applauded the participants for their community-building work.
