At Martin Luther High School in Wisconsin, the entire school embraces the importance of living physically active and healthy lives. With a wide range of course options in physical education and a coordinated approach in athletics, all students have opportunities throughout the school day and year to be active and healthy.
The physical education department at Martin Luther High School in Wisconsin sets the standard for a comprehensive 9th-12th grade PE program. By building skills, knowledge, and confidence in required courses for 9th and 10th graders, Martin Luther PE then transitions upper-grade levels to a wide range of electives and opportunities for student choice and exploration.
At the same time, the athletic department has also committed to making fitness, specifically strength and conditioning, a top priority throughout the school year and over the summer.
How does Martin Luther connect all the moving pieces to the fitness for all mission? To help support the dedicated teachers, coaches, and students, Martin Luther utilizes a platform to manage all the different groups and goals within the school. Here is how they do it!
Martin Luther’s Physical Education Program
At Martin Luther, each 9th-grade physical education student starts with the required “Health and Fitness” class that Lindsey describes as the launching point for all future courses,
“In our 9th grade course, the focus is on setting foundations both in fitness and other key elements of health like nutrition.”
9th grade PE teacher Tony Romano introduces students to PLT4M during the fitness component of the class. By displaying instructional videos on proper form and technique, students have an added resource within the class to practice and develop foundational fitness skills.
From there, students move to the second required course, “Lifetime Activities.” Building on the 9th-grade course, students can explore different options and opportunities to live a healthy and active lifestyle.
While students are in the early stages of exploring and trying different fitness options during these two required classes, Martin Luther takes it a step further with a wide range of electives within the physical education program for upper-grade levels. Lindsey says there is something for everyone within the electives they have designed,
“We have everything from individual and team sports, yoga and pilates, athletic strength and conditioning, sports officiating, and more. Seeing students find the right fit for their interests and goals within physical education is awesome.”
Weightlifting Within Every PE Course
While Martin Luther offers diverse course options for students, every class incorporates at least one day of weightlifting per week. Lindsey says that this focus comes from a shared philosophy around the importance of having some type of strength and resistance training within all students’ lives,
“It might look different for a football player in our athletic weights class than it does for a student looking to participate in a lifetime fitness elective, but we want everyone to feel comfortable and confident in the weight room throughout their time at Martin Luther. Whether they go to college, get a gym membership, or anything in between, building these skills is important to living healthy lives.”
To help make the weight room an even more personalized experience for different types of students, Martin Luther uses PLT4M as their go-to technology tool in PE classes,
“There are a lot of benefits to using PLT4M, but the app allows students to work at their own pace and see the progress and improvements they are making along the way. So many of our students are visual learners these days, and incorporating technology has helped them to see progress and improvement in a very powerful way.”
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Unified PE & Athletics
While the physical education department serves all students at the school within some capacity, like many high schools, there is a lot of overlap between PE and athletics. Lindsey, who is also a sports coach, says that the ability for everyone to be on the same page across PE and athletics has been a game changer,
“For example, we have a strength and conditioning coach who works with many of our teams throughout the year, and he can tap into PLT4M to connect the dots from PE. Another example is our physical therapist, who comes once a week and uses PLT4M to deliver other resources to students throughout the week.”
Lindsey explains how while everyone uses PLT4M differently, there is something for everyone within the system,
“Our football team loves the BFS program and does a great job tracking and measuring data and progress within weight training movements. At the same time, I can go into PLT4M and use it as an awesome curriculum resource for teaching things like yoga and pilates. There is something for everyone in PE and athletics, and that is what has made PLT4M so successful in our school.”
Bonus – Staff Wellness At Martin Luther
Although Martin Luther started using PLT4M for students, Lindsey explains how even teachers and staff are even finding ways to tap into the program for their fitness journey,
“A few of our staff started creating PLT4M accounts to use during prep periods or other times throughout the day. And because there are so many options, everyone can find something they like to keep them moving and active, even as adults.”
Altogether, everyone at Martin Luther embodies the mission of lifelong fitness and health.
Key Takeaways On Martin Luther High School’s Fitness For All Mission
The commitment of Martin Luther High School to fostering a culture of fitness, health, and wellness is a testament to the collective effort and dedication of its entire community. By integrating comprehensive fitness programs across all facets of school life, the school has enhanced its students’ physical well-being and created a supportive and motivating environment for personal growth.
This achievement is not possible without the tireless contributions of a dedicated group of teachers, coaches, and administrators who have made the mission of wellness a central focus of their work. As Lindsey aptly puts it,
“We have so many people involved throughout the school and across PE and Athletics; our teachers, coaches, and administrators have all made fitness a focus for students throughout the school.”
Their collaborative spirit and unwavering dedication continue to drive the success of this initiative, setting a commendable example for other schools striving to prioritize student wellness. Martin Luther High School stands as a beacon of what can be achieved when a school community comes together with a shared vision for a healthier, more active future.
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