Williston High School Rolls On | Video

Chris Williams | 2/19/2013

When students go to gym class, they have the chance to run around with friends, and play a number of different games. However, today at Williston High School kids were rolling around.

"We curl, we do archery. I also have snow shoes, I have cross country skis, I have roller blades," said Williston High School Phys. Ed. teacher Penny Slagle.

Slagle can add one more thing to her list: skateboards. "This is a program that is kind of an up and coming in physical education. It’s a part of the new PE that’s out and about.”

The program is called Skate Pass, and it teaches students about the thriving action sport, skateboarding. It’s the first program like this in North or South Dakota.

"It`s just another avenue for these kids to get out and be physically active, and that`s a big thing that we need to do." Slagle added.

Students learn how to use safety equipment, learn the basics of the board, and towards the end of the class, students get to hop on the skateboard and try it out.

"It`s kind of scary, when you first both your feet in the board because it`s wobbly and hard to keep balance at first," said senior Kayla Barke.

But after a couple practice runs, Barke and her classmates eventually got the hang of it.

"It teaches me that you can go outside of the box. You don`t have to play basketball because there is so many different other sports out there besides football, track," said senior Ashley Percoski.

Slagle took the same Skate Pass class in Colorado, so she could teach this program. Her student teacher, Kaidra Myxter, says being involved with class as unique as this one is a wonderful opportunity.

"When we decided to do this, it was eye opening to me because I know no matter where I go in this state or in the country for student teaching or teaching later on I would never have this experience in my life."

Slagle says skateboarding also teaches students balance and coordination.

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