September 9th, 2015 by WCBC Radio
Westmar Middle School hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony today for it's recently installed community walking track. In attendance to commemorate the event were members of the elected Board of Education, SPARK Fitness Committee members, and various community partners. Students led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and performed the Star Spangled Banner. Toby Eirich, former principal at Westmar, served as the Master of Ceremonies. The group heard remarks from school board president, Nicholas Hadley; school board member, Wayne Foote; Superintendent of Schools, Dr. David Cox; and Dr. Ann Getty, project coordinator. The ribbon-cutting ceremony concluded with the student body, staff, and invited guest taking an inaugural lap around the new track.
The SPARK Physical Education Program is research-based and focuses on individual student fitness rather than being sports-based in nature. It also allows each student participant the opportunity to be successful because competition is individualized with students utilizing heart rate monitors and pedometers to monitor their progress. An individual is not competing against the best athlete in the class, but rather against himself or herself to improve fitness levels.
Members of the SPARK Fitness Committee include Dr. Ann Getty, project coordinator; Toby Eirich, former Westmar principal; Fiona Parousis, school psychologist; Stacy Warnick, physical therapist; Dr. Jodi Nichols, FSU liaison; Dr. David Cox, Superintendent; Tracey Leonard and Rick Scaletta, Westmar PE teachers; Dr. Kurt Metz, neuropsychologist; Dr. Lance Revennaught, FSU. Community partners include the Local Management Board of Allegany County, CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield, PharmaCare of Cumberland, Amy Owens and Greg Dull of Life Fitness Management, Armstrong Insurance Agency, Egle Nursing Home, Document Solutions, Allegany County Sheriff's Department, Allegany County Board of Education, and many other private and business donors.
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