Jackson Elementary School’s Santa Ana Police Athletic League Fitness Program (SAPAAL) Awarded 1st Place in California’s Governors Fitness Challenge 2

The Governor's Challenge Competition is a contest that promotes increased physical activity and better nutrition among California's youth. Jake Steinfeld, Chairman of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, announced that six schools located in the Santa Ana Unified School District (SAUSD) were in the top 25 finalists in the competition. The SAPAAL fitness program at Jackson Elementary School won first place and will receive a new $100,000 fitness center. Jackson students improved from a 23% fitness pass rate to a 96.3% fitness pass rate in just two years.
The other five finalists are Frederick Remington Elementary School, Hector G. Godinez Fundamental High School, John F. Kennedy Elementary School, Lydia Romero-Cruz Elementary School and Walker Elementary School. These schools are eligible for awards up to $6,000.
Finalists were selected out of 2,649 participating schools statewide based on the percentage and number of students in the school who successfully completed the Governor's Challenge of being active 30-60 minutes a day, at least three days a week for a month.

Pythian Youth Camp, Sequoia National Forest

Forty-four of the SAPAAL kids will be boarding the bus this morning and heading for the Pythian Youth Camp in the Sequoia National Forest . The kids earned the trip through point system based on school attendance, citizenship grades, attendance at the SAPAAL and participation in SAPAAL fitness. The seven-day camp is offered at no cost to the kids through a partnership between the Tustin Chapter of the Knights of Pythias and the SAPAAL. See you in a week!

California Science Center

This week the SAPAAL had the opportunity to take the kids to the California Science Center in Los Angeles. There was so much to do and the kids did their best to take it all in.

SAAPAL Kids Enjoy Wild Rivers

During the SAPAAL Summer Program the kids get a chance to visit Wild Rivers Water Park in Irvine, CA. The trip is always a big hit with both kids and staff.

SAPAAL Recycling Tree

Here is the SAPAAL Recycling Tree for June 2010. $1,150.00 dollars raised so far this year through recycling. The SAPAAL kids have raised enough to take 23 kids to Disneyland. Getting closer to our goal of 60!

Summer is here!

Summer is here and the SAPAAL Summer Program is in full swing. The SAPAAL will offer fitness, arts & crafts, karate, music, excursions, sewing, a lunch program and a 7 day summer camp in the Sequoia National Forrest. The kids and the staff are excited and ready to have a great summer!

2010 SAPAAL/Jackson Fitness Medal Ceremony

On 6-11-10 the 2010 SAPAAL/Jackson Fitness Medal Ceremony was held at Jackson Elementary School. 914 medals were awarded to the students for the 62,317 workouts that they participated in this school year.

2010 March of Champions

At the "2010 March of Champions" I was presented with a "SAPAAL Fitness at Jackson" photo book. The book contains photos documenting SAPAAL's involvement with Jackson School for the entire year. The book documents the SAPAAL's involvement with the Jackson School children throughout the school year. Please feel free to stop by the SAPAAL and take a look at the book.

2010 Governor's Fitness Challenge Competition

Thank you to everyone who supported the SAPAAL/Jackson School in our joint venture with the Governor's Fitness Challenge! Your willingness to become a fitness supporter helped us in being selected as an official finalist in the 2010 Governor's Fitness Challenge Competition. The winner will be announced in September.

Welcome to the SAPAAL

The SAPAAL is an after school program that focuses on building a bond between kids and cops through education, fitness and activities!