THMS PE Class, AWESOME!

Over the past decade, Harrisonburg City Schools and Rockingham County Schools put bicycles into their Phyiscal Education programs. These cycling programs have a tremendous amount of momentum due to SVBC rock stars like Nathan Burge, Becky Johnston and others.

This past Friday, I volunteered to help with two morning PE Classes at Thomas Harrison Middle School. Despite the very chilly spring weather, the kids made sure they were committed to fashion.

A gym of bikes waiting for riders!

THMS is perfectly located to provide students with an opportunity to actually mountain bike as part of their cycling block class. Even though this school is only a 1/4 mile ride to the trail head of the Rocktown Trails it is still a challenge to get he students on the bikes, to trails and back in the 50 minutes of class. This past week PE Teacher Andy Thompson showed that this adventure  can be done in the alloted time, but volunters are always needed (do you have a hour or two to spare?).  I encoruage everyone to give volunteering a try, it is great to watch these kids find the magic of two wheels.

Reading to leave the grounds!

My hat goes off to all the teachers in our school system who keep the kids in line and learning. A big thanks especially to Andy Thompson for his willingness to take these groups of kids on  a magnificant adventure. Even though a lot of kids complained of "pain and suffering" they all came back with smiles. I assure you it will be a PE class that they will remember and from which they will grow!

Get the youth on two wheels - Thomas

Heading into the trails!