Physical Education
The Saint Thomas More Physical Education program is built on the belief that all students can have success in physical fitness. Much of the success of the physical education program at St. Thomas More is due to an emphasis on each student developing lifelong skills and self confidence. Not only are students taught core physical fitness skills, they are exposed to over 100 different sporting activities during their nine year experience at the school.
In three of the past five years, Saint Thomas More has won the state championship for the Presidential Physical Fitness Award. This award is given annually in the state of Minnesota to the school with the highest percentage of Presidential Physical Fitness Award winners.
The Physical Education program uses a developmentally appropriate approach to help students develop competence and confidence in their abilities:
* Grades K-2 - Students develop gross motor skills as they learn of their bodies' capabilities.
* Grades 3-5 - Students learn the skills needed to work with others in team sports.
* Middle School - Students fine-tune their knowledge, skills and abilities as they learn strategies for success in different athletic events.
Alumna Competes at Paralympic World Championships in New Zealand
The Star Tribune recently highlighted St. Thomas More alumna Krista Pylkki who is competing this week at the International Paralympic Committee Athletics World Championship in Christchurch, New Zealand. Krista, who is now 16 and attends Totino-Grace High School in Fridley, will be competing for a spot on the U.S. Paralympic Team for the 2012 London Games. Good luck, Krista!
View the article about Krista at the Star Tribune's website by clicking the link below:
Will St. Paul Teen's Path Lead to London?
STM Wins 2011 State Physical Fitness Championship
For the sixth time in nine years, St. Thomas More Catholic School has been acknowledged by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports as the Physical Fitness Champion for the State of Minnesota for 2011.
The Presidential Physical Fitness Test requires students to participate in five events: curl-ups, shuttle run, endurance run/walk, pull-ups, and V-sit or sit and reach. The top award (The Presidential Physical Fitness Award) is given to those students at or above the 85th percentile in all five events. The school that has the highest percentage of Presidential Physical Fitness Award winners in each state are recognized for their outstanding achievement.
St. Thomas More Catholic School received this recognition based on results from the 2010-2011 school year by having almost 48 % of eligible students receive the Presidential Physical Fitness Award.
The school also won this honor in 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2010. The physical education program at St. Thomas More Catholic School is led by Mr. Gene Parrish whose goal is to help students develop life-long skills and an understanding of the importance of physical fitness in their daily lives. All students at St. Thomas More Catholic School have physical education twice a week as well as daily recess which enables them to have daily activity during the school day.
