Natomas Charter School

January 27, 2025 by
Natomas Charter School
Heart Zones, Sarah Knapp

The Natomas Charter School physed and athletics department encountered Heart Zones at CAHPERD one year and had been trying to find more ways to enhance our curriculum and assessment. Their first experience was with Sal Edwards and she was amazing. Her enthusiasm and spirit was tremendous. Since then, Will Taylor has since visited Natomas Charter School in person for a professional development day. If there has ever been an issue with the Heart Zones software or technology, Will has been a great contact and support for the PE teachers at Natomas Charter, including Rich Farwig. 

Rich would describe the program at Natomas Charter School as "rigorous." They do not grade on “dressing out” or “being on your numbers”. Rich and his fellow physed instructors wanted tools to help them assess students based on the national standards. So, they began to implement skill development and fitness daily. 

At Natomas Charter, they strongly push positive group/social dynamics. Since adding Heart Zones, they have been able to move towards a very objective assessment of whether or not they hit the MVPA (moderate to vigorous physical activity) level during class. 

Natomas Charter School students
Natomas Charter School students
Natomas Charter School students

Natomas Charter students looking at the Heart Zones' Big Board*

*The white burst on the Heart Zones Move tiles mean the students have hit 50% MVPA!


After implementing Heart Zones into their PE program, students have started to see activity as more engaging when using the heart rate sensors. They want to see their numbers go up! This is great as it gives the students a sense of what they should be feeling when they work at the appropriate levels.


The administration at Natomas Charter School loved the positive connection the Heart Zones Move Solution makes to being healthy and the objectivity it provides for every student. The physed teachers at Natomas Charter are still looking for the consistency in set up so they plan to push this even further over the next couple years. But where does Natomas Charter get the money for maximizing their PE program, you ask? 

Great question! Natomas Charter School funds their budget for learning tools and physical education technology, like Heart Zones, through yearly fundraising. They have hosted events such as jog-a-thons or roller skating fundraisers to contribute to their PE budget. The PE teachers at Natomas Charter School look forward to pushing Heart Zones to the max in the coming years as they work to educate their students and elevate the PE program at Natomas Charter School. 


Natomas Charter School PE teachers Left to Right: Natomas Charter PE teachers, Rich Farwig, Thomas Shane, and Jenny Valentin


Rich Farwig, one of the PE teachers at Natomas Charter School, has been teaching physical education for 20 years while also stepping into the role of admin liaison in the last couple of years. If you would like to reach out to Rich with questions of your own about his experience or to visit his school to see Heart Zones in action for yourself, please feel free to contact him via email at rfarwig@natomascharter.org.


Natomas Charter School
Heart Zones, Sarah Knapp January 27, 2025
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