Philippe Morin
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 10, 2007

FORT MCPHERSON - Students in the higher grades of Chief Julius school in Fort McPherson are enjoying a unique new course.

"We're giving them the skills to run things in the community," said teacher Jaksun Grice. - NNSL file photo

It's a leadership and physical education class, which allows them to teach younger students in the gym.

Teacher Jaksun Grice said the idea is to create future coaches and recreation coordinators, in the style of Aurora College's Recreation Leaders Program.

"We want to give them skills to run things in the community," he said on Sept. 5.

"They can learn to be coaches and run summer camps."

While the school formerly offered gym from kindergarten to Grade 9, this year's program makes it available for Grades 10 to 12.

In the higher levels, each student will get the chance to teach younger students at least once during class time, said Grice.

The class will also feature usual gym fare like indoor sports.

"We do regular phys-ed stuff, but there's a real difference because they're learning leadership skills."

Chief Julius school has about 200 students registered this year, which marks a slight increase over last year's enrollment.