The students at West Park are enjoying a new addition to their playground this fall.
The soccer goals that have been added are a big hit! The CPS After School Program, which is partially funded by the 21 st Century Grant through NDE, made it possible for West Park to add soccer goals to its playground.
Last school year, the ASP applied for and received a 2-year Opportunity Grant in the amount of $55,000. The focus of the grant is Physical and Nutritional Health.
The ASP is trying to bring more physical activity into our schools not only during the ASP hours, but also during the school day. The grant was also used to purchase soccer balls and other equipment that all our students are able to use.
This year the ASP will bring in the “Future Kids Organization” from Omaha. This is a non-profit organization of former collegiate soccer players. Future Kids will be coming to the West Park ASP on Wednesdays to work with students.
They will focus on physical health and the benefits of being both physically and nutritionally healthy. Our students will enjoy the presentations from the group and having the opportunity to develop their soccer skill.
Our West Park students have always loved playing soccer at recess. Having the new soccer
goals is a great benefit.
Hayden, a 4th grader said they can now actually tell if they scored a goal. “This helps us not fight and has improved on telling if it is a goal or not.”
Students also said having the goals makes soccer more challenging. They have to try and make it inside of the net for a goal and not just have the ball hit the fence.
Vinnie, a 3rd grade student, said the soccer goals are really big and they are a lot of fun.
He likes them because they are big enough for a lot of people to use on the field.