West Chicago elementary students learn golf

Students in all West Chicago Elementary District 33 schools will be introduced to the basic skills of golf along with character and health education in their physical education program.

Physical education teachers will teach the program using safe, fun lesson plans provided in The First Tee National School Program curriculum. The health activities were recently added for students to learn about physical, social and emotional wellness.

Funding for the program, which is $3,200 per school, was provided by a donation from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. Nationwide, more than 2.5 million students at 5,000 schools in 700 districts are participating in The First Tee National School Program. All District 33 schools are offering it.

The First Tee National School Program helps students develop an appreciation for the positive personal and social values associated with golf. Students engage in safe, fun activities that lead to motor skill development while gaining an introduction to a lifelong recreation and health-enhancing activity.

The curriculum was developed by The First Tee along with leading experts in physical education and positive youth development. It is aligned with and meets national standards developed by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. Physical educators delivering the program are trained and certified by The First Tee and use safe, developmentally appropriate lesson plans and equipment in their classes.

The lesson plans include The First Tee Nine Healthy Habits, which were developed in partnership with the ANNIKA Foundation and Florida Hospital for Children.

For information, visit thefirsttee.org or www.wego33.org.