Through local fundraisers and the persistence of Deb VanKlei, which led to a PEP grant, Stillwater Public Schools was able to secure 3 heart zones systems and step trackers.
You know faculty really cares about their students when they go to such great lengths to find an alternative solution to enhance the enjoyment of PE and health of their students.
Initially, Stillwater was drawn to the Heart Zones Move Solution because of its ease of use, and now there are endless reasons Stillwater is a proponent of the Heart Zones Move Solution. Read below to hear about what the students and faculty have gained by using it.
Question & Answer
Q: Why did you choose the Heart Zones Move Solution?
A: Following the learning sessions with a variety of companies, we decided that we wanted to work with Heart Zones because the product was on the leading edge, Sally (Heart Zones) was very open to hearing our ideas and she had the best experience and science surrounding fitness training and Heart Rate technology. Cost was also a factor. We wanted to avoid annual fees and we wanted to be able to purchase systems at a competitive cost. NOTE: Functionality of system in grades K-12 with Step Trackers and Heart Rate Sensors
Q: What are the most important features of the Heart Zones Move Solution for your program?
A: We use the Heart Zones Fit Points to set daily goals, we like having the ability to communicate with the option to send a summary of the workout using email. It really extends the learning for our students. “Heart Zones has given us a means to assess effort and activity levels objectively in a formative and summative manner. We are also able to use the reports to help teach critical thinking skills in PE”. – Darrell Salmi (Stillwater Area High School PE Teacher & Assistant Football Coach)
Q: What have the kids liked most about having the Heart Zones Move Solution?
A: “No more chest straps! They also like having immediate feedback on the big board, being able to track their progress, and being assessed objectively”. – Darrell Salmi (Stillwater Area High School PE Teacher & Assistant Football Coach)
Q: What have the teachers liked most about having the Heart Zones Move Solution?
A: “Teachers like the ease of use and the ability to have meaningful technology to enhance the learning and the Physical Education experience. Assessment is fair and objective. Teachers are not guessing when assessing. Feedback is also more meaningful because it is personalized.” – Lancer Lumby PE Teacher Oak-Land Middle School & Assistant Football coach and Track coach)
“I’ve had several classroom teachers comment on how red in the face their students are at the end of every PE class and how awesome the Boltt Striders are for students. One teacher said “they come back to class and talk about how they did for that class period” “not comparing themselves to others, but with how they did compared to last gym time” -Mike Mustar’s PE class (Brookview Elementary)
“Students get instant feedback on both the big board and the watch. Teachers are easily able to track student activity levels and offer feedback to students with ease. There is also the ability to send reports to students and parents after each workout. Ultimately, students are able to make goals for themselves about their cardiovascular fitness because they can easily interpret the data.” – Ryan Bartosiewski (PE Teacher/Football & Baseball Coach Stillwater High School
“As a teacher of many special education students, I like the fact that they can simply look at numbers and colors on the big board and receive information about how hard they are working. This is a huge motivator for all students. I like that I can assess students using a rubric based on their workout. Most importantly I like the fact that I can spend my time teaching rather than troubleshooting how to get the monitors on etc.”
– Ryan Bartosiewski (PE Teacher/Football & Baseball Coach Stillwater High School)
PE Teacher Testimonials
“I have been amazed with how the level of activity has increased since our students started using Boltt Striders from Heart Zones. Students are so aware of their own individual progress as class is going on. It’s so easy for them to check their status on the big board at any time during class. I love how easy it is for kids to want to be active! This provides so much of the motivation for me as a teacher! I can’t imagine not teaching with this amazing tool, and students can’t imagine not coming in and putting them on everyday!”
– Mike Mustar (Brookview Elementary PE teacher)
Student Testimonials
Quotes from High School PE Students:
– “I learned how to analyze bar graphs and line graphs to analyze my workouts and compare the data.”
– “I REALLY enjoy just wearing it on my arm because it is so easy and comfortable. I also enjoyed a variety of challenges that my friends and I created. We would set times for each zone and try to pace ourselves and try to have the correct time in zone.”
“It has helped me to compare my classes and figure out where I am in physical education and how hard I am working.”
– Middle School Student
Quotes from Middle School PE Students:
– “They help me see how it feels to have a certain heart rate.”
– “I have had a goal to reach every day I have PE.”
– “It helps me notice how I feel in each zone.”
Quotes from Elementary PE Students:
– “It really motivates me to do the best I can every day.”
– “I like trying to get the different colors on the Big Board. It makes me move in a lot of ways.”
Learn more from Stillwater Area Public Schools ISD 834
If you have any questions, please contact Darrel Salmi as he would love to share more about his experience with the Heart Zones Move Solution. Darrell has been a pivotal member of our Smart PE team at Heart Zones. His early adoption and continued pioneering of the Heart Zones Move Solution has been a constant motivation over the last two years.
Prior to entering the teaching field in 1996, Darrell spent four years in the Navy. Darrell enjoys spending time with his family. Darrell and family stay active camping, golfing, playing tennis, fishing, boating, and in many other activities. Darrell obtained his BS from the University of Wisconsin-Superior and MA.Ed. from St. Mary’s University.
