It’s a program that
is so much fun that Liberty Elementary students don’t even realize its
improving their concentration, coordination and social behavior.
On Tuesday,
Principal Christy Jarka and third grade teachers Cindy Fish and Catie
Armstrong familiarized the Duneland School Board with “Minds in Motion,” a
program designed to build a child’s motor skills and visual processing by
strengthening the inner ear which coordinates balance.
Fish said the
founder of “Minds in Motion” -- Candace Meyer -- found that children in
today’s environment aren’t building their inner ear because they are
spending more time in front of the computer or television. Even as infants,
children are carried in a car seat or in a baby carrier and their heads
remain stagnant.
“They aren’t
getting the movement they used to,” said Fish.
Because of this,
they are having trouble with eye-tracking tasks and often struggle with
reading.
Students at Liberty
Elementary School engage in physical activities for 15 minutes a day to
exercise concentration and head movements with balance beams and “jelly
rolling” across the floor. It used the same sorts of devices and training
that NASA uses for motor coordination in astronauts, Fish said
“I can see a change
in the students. They are able to concentrate,” said Armstrong. It also
boosts social interaction and students are ready to learn after they finish
their exercises.
Jarka said the
school began the program in October and parents have responded with much
praise for the program. It is used by all grades, K through 4, and she would
even recommend to older students. “It can help anybody.”
The school showed a
video with students Grace Bamber, Alicia Moisoff and Gavin Rivera
impersonating newscasters reporting on how “Minds in Motion” is affecting
student performances.
“If you take it
seriously, you will see improvement,” Bamber said.
Duneland Personnel
Report
In another matter,
the school board approved a consent agenda which included the latest list of
hires and resignations in Duneland.
For appointments,
Ester Slack will be an IMC secretary for the Duneland Schools. Jason Nykamp
has assumed the role of systems specialist for the school district.
Doreen Hilbrich
will be working as access control and detention supervisor for CHS. Also at
CHS, Morgan Bradley will be a volunteer cheerleading coach.
Brandy Higgins has
been appointed as a probationary custodian for DSC.
Moving from
probationary to permanent status are custodians Ronald Rago, Evar Whiteside
Jr. and Tanya Krumerie.
Katheryn Hines will
be an instructional aide for Jackson Elementary.
Resignations this
month included Jackson Elementary instructional aide Amy Johnson, WIS
instructional aides Tracey Dibble and Bonnie Stolz, and DSC kitchen helper
Twila Harris.
Retiring are
maintenance worker Carol Leady effective Dec. 6 and bus driver Sandra Hutson
on Dec. 31.