For Immediate Release: November 6, 2009

  

MILA ELEMENTARY EARNS ‘STARS’ STATUS WITH NATIONALLY RANKED

PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

 

Viera – MILA Elementary School is one of only 44 schools in the country to ever receive national acclaim as a National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) STARS school. Fairglen Elementary was awarded this distinction last year.

The NASPE STARS program honors physical education programs that model the essential elements for quality physical education and provide meaningful learning opportunities for all students.  In addition, STARS schools exemplify excellence in teaching students the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed for motor development to achieve movement competency, health-related fitness and promote lifelong physical activity. To earn that distinction, the MILA physical education staff compiled documentation over nearly a year which was then submitted to NASPE as a portfolio and rigorously reviewed by an independent panel of judges. 

“We are proud to have MILA follow in Fairglen’s footsteps to become leaders in the effort to provide high quality physical education that meets national standards and guidelines,” stated Dr. Brian T. Binggeli, Brevard Public Schools Superintendent. 

            As one of the elite physical education programs in the country, MILA Elementary will be recognized in March during the 125^th national convention of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Principal Betsy Butler and physical education teachers Gary Odom and Sara Fernandez will be honored at the NASPE Hall of Fame Banquet.  A STARS banner will be presented to the MILA staff as well as certificates of recognition and product coupons from FlagHouse, the official physical education equipment sponsor of the NASPE STARS program.

            Constructed in 1953, MILA was the first elementary school on Merritt Island. M.I.L.A stands for Merritt Island Launch Area.  The space industry was developing in 1953, and many of the first students were children of aerospace industry workers. Since many of the people living on Merritt Island today attended MILA over the decades, there is tremendous community loyalty to the school. The school currently serves 361 students in grades pre-K through sixth grade.  The student population includes 49 percent of children with exceptional education needs. 

           Students receive physical education instruction in two - three classes per week rotation and classes are 50 minutes in length.   Lessons and curriculum are designed to meet the Brevard Public Schools and Next Generation Sunshine State Standards.  In addition to indoor and outdoor facilities, MILA has added Brain Gym, Action Based Learning, the S.M.I.L.E. Lab, and GeoFitness to their teaching stations and offering a well rounded physical education program. Two full-time physical education instructors share the teaching duties.  Additionally, the physical educators participate and organize a variety of school-wide activities to enhance instruction, such as: Family Wellness Night, Step-up Florida, Square Dance Hoedown and special holiday activities to highlight student’s joy in movement.

            Administrators, teachers, interested parents and community members are welcome to visit either or both of Brevard’s STARS schools. To set up an appointment to visit, please contact MILA Elementary at 321-454-1070 or Fairglen Elementary at 321-631-1993.

 

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