Intensity Unit Gets Kids Moving, Helps Fight Childhood Diabetes

Sherwood Elementary, Arnold, MO
Product Line: Burke

Sherwood Elementary – Before

The Sherwood Elementary school wanted to get the kids more active and more fit. The old steel equipment, including parallel bars and a chin up bar, was primarily for upper body strength. The playground didn’t have any slides or swings to really get the kids moving.

Designing for Physical Education Involvement

We put in a swing set and an intensity unit from Burke. This unit provided the climbing and balancing activities missing from the old playground. In addition, the Intensity Unit has a curriculum packet for physical education.

Sherwood Elementary – After

The curriculum packet is a guide for physical education teachers, recreational specialists and others who help kids develop their bodies. Once students learn a skill in physical education, they can use it on the playground during recess, carrying it from the classroom out to playtime.

A recent National Survey of Children’s Health reports that 14.8 percent of American kids between 10 and 17 are overweight. And more than two-thirds of Americans agree that children get too little exercise.

The Intensity Unit is designed to promote fitness and help fight childhood diabetes plus kids will see:

• Improved strength, coordination and injury prevention
• Improved cardio health

Building it Within Budget: Community Build

We initially looked at building the playground in a 2-phased approach; however, a community build model is one way to help minimize expenses. By using this model, the school saved a few thousand dollars and it enabled them to do the entire project all at once. We started at 7 a.m. on a Saturday morning and with the community support were able to finish by 2 p.m.