Justin Black with his students. File photo
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Summer fun is on the schedule, especially for those who live in White Rock.
Chamisa physical education teacher and former PE teacher of the year, Justin Black is ready to inspire activity. While the classes are open to all youth, Black has gone out of his way to offer some summer time fun in White Rock, while doing it as a fundraiser for his elementary school program.
The programs, one for basketball skills and the other for a variety of activities always receive positive feedback from both parents and kids.
“In the past two years, I have secured several volunteers so I can break the groups down further so every camper gets some one on one skill work,” Black said. “I work on providing different activities each day and half of Thursday involves water play.”
The physical education camps offer a variety of activities so kids of all skills can find something new to try or extended time doing something they love and may not have access to on a daily basis, like riding scooters, trying Xbox 360 with Kinect, Dance, Dance Revolution, tumbling, catching, throwing and more.
“I spend the money on PE equipment, technology and things to support the program,” Black said. “Some examples include heart rate monitor watches and an I-Pad to record the data from the heart rate monitors and to access YouTube videos for dance and movement instruction.”
Black has also purchased general equipment and unique items he found while attending the national physical education conference including footballs that bounce back and small squares to work on core balance. His basketball skills camp is based on many years of being involved in basketball at all levels from elementary top varsity.
Black started out in high school as a student athletic trainer and remained on the path through college. He began pursuing a teaching/coaching career with multiple classes on coaching and strategies of various sports. He has coached multiple sports at all levels for many years, including 15 years experience coaching basketball, both boys and girls.
Those wishing to register for classes can request forms via email and same day registration is available. There will be two sessions for each program.
The cost for each camp is $45 and all money raised will benefit the Chamisa PE program. Register by emailing Coach Justin Black at J.Black@laschools.net, or calling or texting 505.716.1149.
Summer Gym Camp
Summer Gym Camp held at Chamisa Elementary is for students who would like to improve on their throwing, catching, passing, punting and general ball skills. Additional fun activities include, DDR, Xbox, Kinect and Speed Badminton.
There will be two sessions:
- June 16-19, or
- June 23-26
The students are separated out by the following grade levels and times:
- 8:30-10 a.m. Grades 4-6
- 10-11:30 a.m. Grades 1-3
Coach Black’s Basketball Skills Camp
A basketball skills camp will be offered twice this summer at Chamisa Elementary and open to all students. The dates are June 16-19 and June 23-26.
The students are separated by grade level and skill with the following programs.
- Grades 6-8: 1-2:30 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.
- Grades 3-5: 3-4:30 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.
- Higher skill level: 5-6:30 p.m. Mon.-Thurs.
