Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
’Girls on the Run’ coaches and students describe program benefits, ask other schools to adopt it
Summary
Coaches, a parent and a student described the Girls on the Run program at Western Elementary and encouraged other schools to adopt it; the program serves about 18 girls at Western and offers a middle‑school track called Heart & Soul.
Tricia Hunt, a parent and teacher at Tioga Elementary School, and coaches from Western Elementary presented the Girls on the Run program to the Coventry School Committee, describing social‑emotional and physical benefits for participating girls.
Why it matters: The nonprofit program combines evidence‑based lessons and physical activity to boost self‑confidence, social skills and goal setting for elementary‑age girls. Committee members discussed possibilities for expanding the program to other elementary schools and noted a separate middle‑school track called Heart & Soul.
What presenters said: Hunt said her daughter ‘‘spilled her guts’’ about what she was learning after twice‑weekly practices and that the program culminated with an end‑of‑season 5K that rewarded every participant with a commemorative medal. Miss Riesen, a special‑education teacher and one of the coaches, described lesson elements including lap‑based physical goals, five‑finger breathing and sensory techniques for emotional regulation.
A student who participated said she ‘‘felt accomplished’’ after completing the 5K and that the program helped her meet kids from other grades. The coaches emphasized the program’s focus on encouragement over competition and the creation of a ‘‘safe and inclusive’’ space for friendships and cooperative work.
Participation and expansion: When asked how many girls participated, Hunt said Western had about 18 girls this season. Committee members asked about bringing the program to the middle school; presenters said Girls on the Run offers a separate curriculum for middle school (Heart & Soul) and that adults, including parents, can be trained to run it. A committee member asked whether boys could be taught empathy; a coach said that would be a matter for the program director but that she would be willing to coach boys.
Next steps: Members expressed support for expanding Girls on the Run across elementary schools and exploring a middle‑school launch. Presenters offered to share training and program information with interested schools and community volunteers.
