Running head: COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL ASSESSMENT

Paris Rumback
Comprehensive School Assessment
Arizona State University
PPE 310
February 7th, 2016
Dr. Hesse

COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL ASSESSMENT

Assessment Results

In the little time that I have spent at Highland Lakes Elementary school, I have observed
that the school dynamics are positive and encouraging in many ways. In relation to health and
fitness, I have seen a large amount of adult lead encouragement for the students to indulge in
exercise. In the morning announcements, they announce great things about an exercise club that
meets after school a few times a week. Sports and other physical activity is also encouraged
school wide. In fact, the Highland Lakes girls and boys basketball team went to championships
this year, and have sparked an interest in many students to try out next year. The school pride is

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nothing short of enthusiastic, and everyone wants to partake in the fun activities taking place at
this school. This positivity and motivation could be taken into full force and used to make an
even larger impact in the health and wellbeing of the schools students, families and friends.
While Highland Lakes Elementary strives for health efficiency, there are a few factors
that could be improved upon to make up a comprehensive school atmosphere. Teachers
everywhere really focus on two things: Math, and reading. With the small amount of time in the
school day, and the pressure to meet all academic standards; teaching students about nutrition
and healthy lifestyles sadly falls short. Based on the Active and Healthy School Program School
Assessment Tool, Highland lakes only implements health programs at an estimated 20 percent
during the school day. Based on my observations, teachers dont model what it looks like to eat
healthy snacks, lunches, or teach about what is good and bad for the human body. Another
weakness that I have observed is that the students dont have much activity time throughout the
day, especially during instruction. The only time they have the opportunity for physical activity
is during their 15-minute lunch recess, and PE two times a week for 45 minutes each day.
I believe that by cross integrating health into the curriculum of all subject areas, students
will have the opportunity to learn how to make better life choices, and apply that information to
their daily lives. Teachers could also implement brain breaks, and physical activities in the
classroom to get the students active, and their brains cells flowing.
Another great way to integrate health and fitness into the students daily lives is to
involve the students families. Schools could make such an impact on the overall health of
students and their families by making the smallest moves such as: hosting family nights with a
premises on wellness, hosting school fundraisers at places other than McDonalds, or something
as simple as sending home a flyer with health facts and benefits on brain activity. Educating the

COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL ASSESSMENT

families and teaching the students how to live a healthier lifestyle should be just as high of a
priority as teaching math and reading.
For my signature assignment I will be researching how the act of Integrating academic
concepts & physical activity in the classroom & effects students nurse visits, absences, and
disciplinary issues. According to the video Active and Healthy Schools (MU Extension), they
agree that physical education should not be limited to the gym and that physical activity should
be apart of everyday classwork. The video goes on to say that School counselors say that 3 to 5minute activity breaks not only increase kids health and attention span but also disciplinary
issues are on the decline (Strata Commun, 2010). I am excited to start observing and recording
the results of this data while implementing brain breaks in my current placement.
Information
I am currently in a 2nd grade classroom at Highland Lakes, in the Deer Valley School
District. Highland Lakes is a pre-K through 8 grade public school with 1,067 students actively
enrolled. 24.6 percent of students attending Highland lakes are receiving free or reduced lunch.
Highland Lakes is not identified as a title one school. This school is a grade A school and is
known as the renaissance school, attracting the gifted students of Deer Valley. According to
Schooldigger.com the teacher to students ratio is 17:1, however from my observations, most
classes have an average of 25 students per classroom. On average, the students of highland lakes
78.1 percent identify as Caucasian, 4.7 percent as African American, 11.4 percent Hispanic, 4.5
percent Asian, and 1.2 percent Indian (Schooldigger.com).

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References
Commun, S. (2010, May 13). Active and Healthy Schools (MU Extension). Retrieved
February 07, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrMx49v_xCc

Highland Lakes School. (n.d.). Retrieved February 07, 2016, from

http://www.schooldigger.com/go/AZ/schools/0775001873/school.aspx