More Than 1 Million Students Reached and 100,000 Teachers
Trained Annually Around the World Through SPARK Programs
GREENVILLE, Wis., June 18, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SPARK(R), the
premier physical education brand of School Specialty, Inc. (OTCQB:SCOO)
(“School Specialty” or “the Company”) proudly announced the kick-off of
its 25th anniversary celebration. The Company will mark this historical
milestone with a series of events that commemorate SPARK’s
achievements, including a 25-day Physical Activity Challenge to kick
off the new 2014-2015 school year in the fall.
For a quarter century, the world’s most researched and field-tested
physical education program, SPARK, has transformed the lives of
children, adolescents and adults around the world by providing or
enhancing opportunities to engage in sports, physical activity,
fitness, and nutrition-related courses. Physical educators and physical
activity leaders have benefited tremendously from SPARK’s innovative
curricula and unique teaching strategies, which have enhanced standard
Physical Education (PE) and health-related practices in a variety of
environments – school, home, and community. More than 10,000 workshops
and/or presentations have been conducted across 24 countries, leading
to more than 100,000 teachers being trained in SPARK instruction and
over 1 million students impacted on average per year.
25 Years of Innovation in Physical Education
SPARK was founded in June 1989 by two professors from San Diego State
University – Drs. Jim Sallis and Thom McKenzie. They received a large
award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to create, implement
and evaluate an elementary school physical education program that would
maximize health and behavior related outcomes. This success of the
original project initiated a nationwide rollout led by Paul Rosengard
who was a key developer during the research project, and thus, SPARK
was born.
A brief look at SPARK’s history: 25th ANNIVERSARY INFOGRAPHIC
— 1993: SPARK wins the Governor’s Commendation Award from California
Governor Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger for efforts to improve the
health of California’s youth.
— 1994: SPARK’s dissemination effort for elementary PE programs begins and
the Poway Unified School District in California is the first to implement
SPARK.
— 1995: Given an “Exemplary Program” status by the National Diffusion
Network of the U.S. Department of Education. SPARK later launches outside
of the U.S. borders, conducting workshops with elementary PR teachers in
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands.
— 1996: The Surgeon General cites as a “school-based solution to our
nation’s health care crisis”. SPARK’s Project M-SPAN (Middle School
Physical Activity and Nutrition) is funded by the NIH.
— 2000: Middle School Program is launched.
— 2001: After-School Program is launched, followed by program for Early
Childhood.
— 2004: Elementary and Middle School PE programs earn highest ranking in a
study of more than 150 programs nationwide.
— 2005: SPARK is chosen as a “Selected School-based Intervention” by the
National Academy of Sciences. SPARK moves into High Schools.
— 2006: SPARK earns “Gold” rankings for its elementary and middle school PE
programs from the Cooper Institute study examining effective U.S.
activity and health interventions.
— 2008: Launches Coordinated School Health Initiative Programs. SPARK is
named by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a
national model for programs designed to increase physical activity and
combat childhood obesity.
— 2010: SPARK is highlighted in report “What Works for the Prevention and
Treatment of Obesity” by Child Trends, a nonprofit, nonpartisan research
center.
— 2013: SPARK adds Digital Programs to its solutions-based curriculum
leveraging the rising use of technology both in and outside of the
classroom. The Institute of Medicine cites SPARK as a proven solution for
increasing the quantity and quality of physical education in school, and
the U.S. Department of Agriculture SNAP-Ed Tool Kit endorses SPARK for
the States as an evidenced-based policy and environmental change
intervention in school settings.
— 2014: SPARK receives Community Leadership Award from the President’s
Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition and adds to its Classroom &
Recess programs.
— 2014: SPARK celebrates 25 years of countering childhood obesity!
Dr. Jim Sallis, SPARK Principal, commented, “We have a lot to celebrate
on this special 25th anniversary, including the fact that more and more
active and high-quality PE programs are being embraced by our public
health and education communities. It has been an amazing journey and
learning experience since Thom and I first started out in 1989 as two
relatively young professors. With more than two decades of published
research, scholarship and program development, we have seen the
powerful effects that physical fitness, sport skills and the enjoyment
of PE have on academic achievement as well as the overall quality of
life. I look forward to continuing on this journey with our dedicated
colleagues, partners and end-users as we strive to improve the health
of generations to come.”
Dr. Thom McKenzie, SPARK Principal, added, “As the world’s most
researched physical education program, our objective has been to design
more inclusive and fun courses that offer students opportunities to be
more active. The last quarter century has shown the evolution of SPARK
courses to integrate student-directed learning, differentiated
instruction and motivational sports education. We continuously set out
to develop PE and wellness programs that will help children reduce
obesity risk and prevent them from potentially developing other serious
chronic illnesses such as diabetes or cardiovascular diseases which in
turn, present significant public health costs. We want our children to
be healthy and lead active lifestyles — that’s what SPARK is about.
I’m very proud to be a part of a movement that has made tremendous
inroads over the years to advance health and wellness.”
“For more than two decades, SPARK has worked to implement best PE and
physical activity practices and programs that motivate students to
participate and develop a lifelong love of activity. As we come to this
important juncture in the history of SPARK, I’d like to express
gratitude to past and current team members and partners, including our
teachers who have been committed to the program’s achievements and
success over the years,” stated Executive Director, Paul Rosengard.
“SPARK and School Specialty remain devoted to helping both students and
teachers and we are excited to celebrate this 25-year anniversary
together. We look forward to another 25 years of advancements in
physical education and keeping our children healthy and productive.”
As part of the 25th anniversary celebration, SPARK will be teaming up
with Let’s Move! Active Schools and the President’s Challenge, the
premier program of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and
Nutrition, to host a 25-day Physical Activity Challenge in the fall.
The SPARK 25-day Physical Activity Challenge will encourage schools to
sign up for Let’s Move! Active Schools and promote physical activity
before, during, and after school for at least 60 minutes a day. The
winning school will receive a $25,000 SPARK package, including
curriculum, training and equipment.
About SPARK and School Specialty, Inc.
SPARK is the premier physical education brand of School Specialty,
Inc., a leading distributor of innovative and proprietary products,
programs and services to the education marketplace. School Specialty
designs, develops, and provides educators with the latest and very best
school supplies, furniture and both curriculum and supplemental
learning resources. Working in collaboration with educators, the
Company reaches beyond the scope of textbooks to help teachers,
guidance counselors and school administrators ensure that every student
reaches his or her full potential. For more information about School
Specialty and its brands, visit www.schoolspecialty.com.
