Nov. 18The national Girls on the Run program allows Burns Middle School students an opportunity to connect with their school is a nontraditional way, said Faith Butler, BMS guidance counselor and social emotional learning coach.<\/p>\n
That kind of connection can be harder to find for some students who aren't involved with a typical team sport or club, Butler said.<\/p>\n
There are five BMS female students that participate in the eight-week program.<\/p>\n
According to the Kentuckiana chapter of Girls on the Run, the program began in 1996 and has helped more than 2 million girls. More than 100,000 volunteers help make the program a reality each year, with more than 200,000 girls empowered annually. Girls on the Run teaches girls ages 8-13 life skills that promote female empowerment through research-based curriculum.<\/p>\n
The three focuses of this program are understanding yourself; valuing relationships and teamwork; and recognizing how we can shape the world at large. Students who have participated receive a lesson immediately after school, then they go to the BMS track and practice a run.<\/p>\n
Students are preparing to participate in the annual Girls on the Run Kentuckiana 5K on Saturday, Nov. 20 in Louisville.<\/p>\n
Butler said the program has made a positive impact on the students involved.<\/p>\n
\"I have seen each of them experience personal growth in different ways,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Victoria Self, BMS youth services coordinator, said the great thing about this program is it provides a lot of social emotional learning for students. Not only do they get out and can be physically active, but they're also learning powerful lessons.<\/p>\n
Lessons include students learning and identifying their strengths and building self-confidence and character. All of these are important traits for young girls, Self said.<\/p>\n
\"In today's society, the media, music, magazines etc. make us feel that we, as girls and women, have to look a certain way,\" she said. \"We see many young girls who don't feel good about their physical appearance, or don't feel worthy.\"<\/p>\n
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Girls on the Run, she said, is an all-inclusive program that empowers these students, something she has already witnessed since its inception at Burns Middle.<\/p>\n
\"We have already seen some growth in areas of self-esteem, conflict resolution and increased levels of physical activity among our members,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Butler and Self plan to continue the program next year, with hopes that it will expand.<\/p>\n
Bobbie Hayse, bhayse@messenger-inquirer.com<\/a>, 270-691-7315<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read the rest here:<\/p>\n Finding Connections: Girls on the Run empowering Burns Middle School girls - Yahoo News<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Nov. 18The national Girls on the Run program allows Burns Middle School students an opportunity to connect with their school is a nontraditional way, said Faith Butler, BMS guidance counselor and social emotional learning coach. Continue reading