Orchard Health Classes Improve With Technology

Everyday Orchard Public Schools is looking for a new way to improve, and most recently they focused on how they can improve student health.

During the Orchard School Health Advisory Council meeting earlier this month, Lindi Ferguson, OPS health teacher, addressed the council to discuss new teaching methods, as well as the newest P.E. purchase. This year, the District purchased 12 new heart monitors to help incorporate technology within the health classes. Ferguson and Principal Cathy Cooper decided to purchase the Mio Alpha 2 monitors to have something that was not too basic, but also not over-the-top. These monitors are used on the forearm which makes it easier for student use.

Ferguson is excited to be able to implement the new technology within her classes, and hopes it will help students relate to the material in health to scenarios in P.E.

“In my Health class, we discuss heart rates, and I do a little in my upper elementary classes. I thought if I could incorporate my Health class within my P.E. classes, the students will understand a little more about how heart rates affect physical fitness and calorie burning. The upper elementary will get some background on heart rates, and this will motivate them to work hard in P.E.,” said Ferguson.

She has already been able to utilize them within her Freshman and Sophomore P.E. classes, and is hopeful to begin using them with the 4th-6th grades within the next couple weeks. With students interest in technology and using “new things,” Ferguson is hopeful that this purchase will help improve student health, interest and the curriculum in the Orchard school.