Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

For two active students at Rummel Creek Elementary (RCE) in Spring Branch ISD (SBISD), regular participation in health fitness classes at the school complements their varied extracurricular sports experiences.

The vision of the SBISD Health Fitness department is to help students develop social skills, make lifelong healthy choices, and pursue an active lifestyle. Rummel Creek third-grader Reece Cipra and fifth-grader Nicholas Lapham embody this vision perfectly!

Even at their young ages, both recognize that staying fit is key to living a healthy and happy life. Their health fitness teacher, Robyne Petitt, instills this knowledge into her students during every class through fun and energetic activities.

“Without health fitness, you can become out of shape, and life will not be very enjoyable because you cannot do the things you want to do,” Lapham said. “It also allows you to eat good food that you like and just burn it off later.”

Cipra also understands that having a strong body is vital to being able to do other enjoyable things. “Health fitness is important for children so they can be healthy and active and not get sick,” she said.

Fun and Challenging

Both students look forward to their health fitness class each week. Cipra’s favorite activity—so far—is in-line tag. For Lapham, he enjoys and is challenged by the finesse of Frisbee throwing.

Cipra credits Coach Petitt at RCE with creating an enjoyable environment for learning. “She is kind, fun, and always happy,” she said. “I feel very excited to go to health fitness. It is the best part of the day!”

Lapham echoes this sentiment, noting Coach Petitt’s patience with her lively students. “My favorite thing about her is how kind and understanding she tries to be with us, even when we are obviously frustrating to her,” he said.

Reece’s mother, Kirby Cipra, is appreciative of how the RCE health fitness program has helped her daughter develop a love for movement and competition.“Reece has always had a love for health fitness and athletics,” she said. “I have seen how this program has helped encourage her love for sports, being active, and even inspired her to create new challenges and games.”

Beyond the Gym

Health fitness teacher Petitt has high praise for these two standouts at RCE, whose character extends beyond their athleticism.

“Reece has evolved into an amazing student leader,” Petitt said. “Reece is kindhearted and empathetic to everyone around her. She is always helping other students and includes those who may feel left out. She is a true leader inside and outside of the gym.”

Petitt has noticed his increasing enjoyment of participation in health fitness class. “Nicholas is a team player and enthusiastic about sports,” Petitt  said. “He puts his best foot forward in every activity.”

Trying Out a Variety of Sports

Cipra and Lapham are also involved in many other energetic activities outside of school.

Cipra plays basketball and softball, swims, dances, and participates in cheer on a spirit squad. Lapham plays lacrosse, basketball, rugby, and football, and is also a swimmer. He has also tried jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and kickboxing!

Nicholas’ mother, Ann Lapham, sees her son growing in self-confidence and learning cooperation and leadership through team sports. These opportunities have also widened his horizons beyond his local community.

“Playing sports outside of school has opened up more of the world to him,” she said. “Playing with kids from other cities and states has taught him how to adapt to new or uncomfortable situations by relying on himself and his abilities to function as part of a team to achieve a goal.”

Health fitness teacher Robyne Petitt appreciates Nicholas’ growing athleticism. “I have seen Nicholas grow into an amazing student and athlete,” she said. “Now, he is participating in every activity and playing club lacrosse outside of school in various tournaments around the country.”

Growing in Character

In classrooms and gyms across SBISD, teachers inspire their students to develop strong character traits, specifically those identified as Core Characteristics of a T-2-4 Graduate. Petitt sees both students excelling in one particular characteristic: Persistent & Adaptable.

“Reece and Nicholas inspire me every day,” said Young. “They are great examples of perseverance. Despite the various challenges they had to overcome in the past years, they did not allow those challenges to discourage them.”

Thank you to Coach Robyne Petitt for fostering the health, physical abilities, and inner character of all of your students, including these outstanding representatives of Rummel Creek Elementary, Nicholas and Reece.