COWBOY JITTERBUG

Big Sky High School

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MISSOULA, Montana— Cowboy jitterbug is hot in Montana right now. It's also hot at Big Sky High School, where kids kick up their heels for credit. "We actually require it," says veteran PE teacher Maureen Thomas, "but it's also very popular. We offer it because we want our students to recognize that dancing can be part of an active lifestyle." Jitterbugging—soon to be followed by swing if Thomas has her way—is part of a strong emphasis on introducing teenagers to activities that can keep them active and healthy their entire lives.

Some of those activities offered for credit at Big Sky, such as tennis and softball, can be found at other schools and in most parts of the country. Other choices draw more heavily on the assets of the Montana environment. "Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks works with us on a fishing unit," says Thomas, "and we have mountain biking on trails near the school. We're working with the University of Montana to introduce kayaking. When possible, cross-country skiing is available, and even downhill skiing. The response this year to the latter was tremendous. We actually took 450 kids out on four separate days of ski trips."

Another favorite is "folf"(also known as "disc golf"), a combination of Frisbee and golf. "You throw something like a Frisbee only heavier," says Thomas, "and you have to hit certain holes. We bus the kids to a recreation site for it, and they get a good workout hiking up and down those mountains."

Thomas and her colleagues are preparing about 100 students now to participate in a five-kilometer community run. "It's a walk/jog, and we care more about having kids take part than being front-runners," Thomas says. "We're offering practice in PE twice a week, and asking students to practice once a week on their own."

One key to the success of the Big Sky program is that, as much as possible, students choose and take ownership of their activities. At the beginning of the Lifetime Fitness class she teaches, Thomas lists all possibilities and students rank their preferences. The class rotates through the choices. "Last semester's class chose fly-fishing, tennis, golf, folf, and softball in the fall, and racquetball, badminton, the climbing wall, and downhill skiing in the winter," she says.

Thomas adds, "We have an elective every period of the day to make it easy for students to choose, and they are always full, with more kids wanting in."

Thomas also encourages students to take responsibility for their own health with heart-rate monitors during aerobic activities, so kids know what to aim for in their various sports. "Also, from the freshman year on, we require each student to keep an activity log," says Thomas. "Even moderate activity contributes to health, so we count it, too. This technique helps them be aware and take charge." The required Health Enhancement class reinforces the message for freshmen and sophomores. Subjects include nutrition; violence prevention; sexuality; communications; drugs, alcohol and tobacco prevention; and mental health issues like stress and time management. "We encourage students to set personal goals for themselves in relation to each topic," Thomas says.

Thomas says she took much of the inspiration for these new ideas from annual conventions of the Montana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. She attended her first convention in the mid-1980s, and came home brimming with ideas. Since then, she has served as president and is now executive director. "Our field is changing so fast," she says. "Ongoing professional development is very important."

Thomas was singled out this year for her contributions to PE when she was named one of four Montana winners of the Milken Family Foundation Awards, which come with a $25,000 prize.

When Thomas's name was submitted to the Foundation, someone voiced surprise that it would be given to someone who taught a subject that was not part of the core curriculum. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Nancy Keenan responded that in Montana, PE is core curriculum.

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