Did you know there is a connection between physical activity and academic performance? Did you also know that physical activity helps to keep the brain fit and strengthens a student's ability to learn?

At Carpenter, our kids all benefit from PE.

Our dedicated PE instructor, Miles Haddad earned his undergraduate degree in Sports Management, and is passionate about helping students grow and develop the fundamental skills for various sports. Coach Miles has been a life-long baseball player and in recent years, has turned his attention to education. In addition to dedicating his time to Carpenter, he serves as an assistant coach for the baseball team at a local high school, and is the Head of Baseball Development for Toluca Thunder Baseball.

Coach Miles prides himself on always maintaining a safe and fun learning environment for our students, and for being a team player and positive role model. His enjoyment of working with kids is evident on the schoolyard, and his lessons on team building and creating a healthy lifestyle are important ones that our students enjoy.

Here is an inside view of just some of what your child might be learning in PE:

• Kindergarten – Fundamental motor skill development (balance, skipping, jumping, running) Ball skills (dribbling, throwing, catching). Introduction to game play.
• 1st Grade – Continuation of ball skills (kicking) motor skill development. Introduction to tagging and chasing games, playground games and rules stressing fair play and good sportsmanship.
• 2nd Grade – Introduction to team play (kickball, roundball, flag tag, soccer). Stressing the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship and learning more advanced playground games.
• 3rd Grade – More advanced team play and games involving a net. Learning the skills necessary to play volleyball, basketball and team handball. Introduction to capture the flag and flag-related games.
• 4th Grade – Intro to agility courses and track and field (sprinting, distance, hurdles, relay) More advanced game and team play.
• 5th Grade – Introduction of squads for competing. More advanced competitions, long-distance running and running for time. Preparation for the President's Fitness Test.

Research shows that physical activity can improve executive functions, the ability to concentrate, memory, and intellectual performance. Children given opportunities for physical activity are not only better able to concentrate, focus, and learn while in school, but they are provided with the opportunity to develop the skills, self-confidence, and enjoyment of physical activity that can foster a physically active lifestyle that will support their overall health throughout their lives. -- California Center for Public Health Advocacy

At Carpenter, our mission is to educate the whole-child, and through superb enrichment classes such as our Physical Education Program, we give our children the best education possible.

For more information on our programs, how to get involved or to answer any questions, please email us at carpenterpfc@gmail.com.