In Action
Governor Martin O’Malley and the Baltimore Ravens help launch Keep Gym in School in Maryland
Corkran Middle School
Glen Burnie, Maryland
Keep Gym in School arrived in Glen Burnie, MD on Tuesday September 29th to celebrate NFL Network’s adoption of Corkran Middle School with the support of Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Verizon FiOS TV and the Baltimore Ravens. Ravens players, Verizon FiOS executives, and representatives of NFL Network joined with local officials to unveil $50,000 in refurbishments including a climbing wall, cardio machines, portable games and a major resurfacing project for tennis and basketball courts. The event also served as a kickoff for a year of fitness with the Keep Gym in School fitness program minicamp – where students participated in NFL combine-style events and drills.
NFL Network Analyst Jamie Dukes and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo and center Matt Birk hosted the pep rally and fitness minicamp. Tight end Edgar Jones, defensive tackle Brandon McKinney and linebacker Jason Phillips were also on hand for the celebration and were joined by special guests including Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, State Sen. Ed DeGrange, county school board President Ned Carey and schools superintendent Kevin Maxwell.
The packed gymnasium was filled with cheers, waving pennants and pom poms, and music as the Corkran pep band played. Glen Burnie High School cheerleaders performed, the Glen Burnie HS Vocal Ensemble sang the national anthem, and the Ravens drum corps electrified the crowd with an incredible performance. Brendon, Matt, Jamie, and all of the special guests recognized the importance of Physical Education, challenging the crowd of Middle School to dedicate 60 minutes a day to staying active, both in and out of school.
With the Ravens drum corps leading the way, students ran out of the gym and took the field through the Keep Gym in School helmet, where Brendon, Matt, and the rest of the Ravens led students stretching exercises. The students then rotated through the fitness stations and football drills, getting active and enjoying the great fall weather.
Congratulations Corkran Middle School!
To further the mission of supporting physical education in America’s schools and establishing healthy lifestyles, NFL Network, with its partner NASPE, is working to educate the U.S. Congress and Executive Branch on the following legislative priorities:
Florida AHPERD needs your assistance with a national call to action to defeat SB 1644
The State of Florida needs every bit of assistance in contacting Senators to defeat SB 1644, which would eliminate the middle school physical education requirement. We are asking for your support in sending out a "National Call to Action." For more information please click here.
Support the PHYSICAL Act—PE & HE as Core Subjects
Senator Tom Udall has introduced legislation to make physical education and health education core academic subjects within ESEA. S. 3683 would also reauthorize PEP as a stand-alone program, create a new health education grant similar to PEP and make some changes in the Department of Education to emphasize PE and health education. Please contact your Senators and ask them to co-sponsor this important bill. [Take action] Use NASPE's new “PE is an Academic Subject” paper in your advocacy!
Support Physical Education and Health Education in ESEA
Congress has begun the process of reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and your input is critical. Please let your legislators know how important it is to include physical education and health education in the new ESEA. [Take action]
Health Education Advocacy Alert
Support Health Education in our nation's schools and communities by advocating for more federal support. Now is the time to lend your voice to advocate for health education. [Take action]
Support PEP Grant Funding
In an effort to streamline the Department of Education (USDE)'s programs and increase effectiveness, the President's FY 2011 budget contains major changes to the PEP grant program. The Administration proposes to consolidate PEP into a new authority along with 5 other existing programs. [Take action]
Find Your Elected Officials
Click here to locate your elected officials, the executive office, and/or federal agency staff to take ACTION!
