Letter to Educators
You may have already heard about the exciting new physical education
program, "Archery: On Target for Life," which has been added to the
curriculum of more than 750 Kentucky schools in the past four and half
years. If not, as a career Kentucky educator, I'd like to encourage you to
please take the time to investigate how this innovative
program has the potential to impact your students on multiple levels.
The unit, "Archery: On Target for Life," was written by the Kentucky
Department of Education curriculum specialist, utilizing the curriculum
standards required by the Kentucky Education Reform Act. It contains
Academic Expectations and Core Content for Assessment required by state
regulation to be taught in Physical Education. The curriculum has been
written for grades 4-12, to review the curriculum go to the AWAKE site on
KDFWR web page or to
www.nasparchery.com. You will find the curriculum holds interesting
and creative possibilities for integration with core content in social
studies, mathematics, visual arts, history, and English/language arts.
Potential aside, it is the results we have already realized from the
"Archery: On Target for Life," program that have excited educators and
administrators across the Commonwealth and the Nation. Participating
students have exhibited marked improvements in self-esteem, confidence,
self-discipline, structured programs and self-worth--all qualities that lead
to an all-around better student, and an enriched student body. We have also
documented improvements in attendance, behavior and on-task behavior.
The Kentucky Model of "Archery: On Target For Life,” is a two-week course of
archery instruction that addresses safety strategies, concentration, skills
and techniques necessary to enjoy and participate in archery as a "Lifetime
Sport." The safety procedures and instructional guidelines have been created
by National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) Schools interested in
participating must send at least one teacher to an 7 hour, Basic Archery
Instructor course to become a certified archery instructor for that
facility.
The majority of the schools in Kentucky and other states which have
implemented the inaugural two-week course have now expanded archery into
after-school programs like ESS, 21st Century, Family Resources Service
Center (FRYSC), as well as school archery clubs and organized competition.
As the administrator in charge of coordinating "Archery: On Target for
Life," in Kentucky I have been witness to hundreds of success stories that
this program has brought to the faculty and young people in our state.
Prominent among these is word from principals and instructors that students
who do not normally participate and enjoy sports-related or extra-curricular
activities seem to excel in this program--something that invariably carries
over into their attitude, work habits and other school activity. We have
two principals that stated the NASP program is the key factor that enabled
their school to be a top 20 school on the state assessment in 2003. A
superintendent said this spring during graduation that he had the pleasure
of shaking hands with and handing a diploma to a young man that would never
had finished school had it not been for the archery program.
I would like to take the opportunity to share other success stories with you
about this innovative and first-of-its kind curriculum at your convenience.
Please contact me at
jennie.richardson@ky.gov or office (606) 549-9918 or (cell
606-521-0421) so I may explain in greater detail the enormous potential
"Archery: On Target for Life," holds for your school/schools and your
students.
Thank You,
Jennie Richardson