Grayslake Middle School seventh and eighth grade students are getting the opportunity to brave the elements and spend time exploring winter trails just steps outside the building. Snowshoe steps that is..
Students are embracing the challenge of this winter’s nearly 20 inches of snow by strapping on snowshoes and working together to create new trails as well as enjoy the trails already in place in Grayslake’s Central Park. While most adults are dreading the thought of more snow, the students are happily taking advantage of the fitness benefits that snowshoeing provide. Grayslake Middle School’s physical education teacher, Jim Foley, said, “In addition to health benefits, snowshoeing also provides the students with a sense of independence, pride and accomplishment.”
Groups of 10-15 students go out at a time dressed for a winter adventure. After strapping on the snowshoes, students grab the poles and head down a trail through Central Park with either Foley or Tim Borries, another physical education staff member. In what looks like cross-country skiing, the students travel single file through the snow, stamping down trails that wind through Central Park and around the school grounds.
This is the first year for snowshoeing at GMS, although the idea was developed last winter using the snow totals for motivation. The school’s PE department received a $1,000 grant from Trustmark Companies Trustmark Foundation in Lake Forest to purchase 16 sets of snowshoes and poles. Trustmark selects ideas they feel are innovative and make the greatest health and fitness impact for schools. The PE staff keeps track of student progress, collects evidence of improvements and writes up a summary for Trustmark at the end of the grant period.
The Trustmark Foundation supports health education programs with the Impact Educator Grant, which awards grants to local educators who promote healthy lifestyles to their students through innovative educational programs. According to the website, Trustmark has awarded 53 grants totaling nearly $48,000 to teachers in Lake County.
The physical education department at Grayslake Middle School at 440 Barron Blvd. includes staff members Foley, Borries, Deb Garrey and Julie Gheysen.