The basketball goal that we ordered at the beginning of the year has been installed and was used by the students for the very first time Friday. This was a HUGE goal for the coaches at PCES. We know that a lot of our students like to play basketball, but we rarely teach it because we had no basketball goals. So we'd like to give a big thanks to all the parents for allowing their children to buy snacks on Friday, play on the inflatable slides & obstacle courses, and attending field day in May every year. Without your help, we wouldn't have the money to get nice equipment for the students.

The overall student winner of the 2012 PCES Turkey Trot is Trevon Griffin with a time of 5 minutes and 51 seconds.

The overall teacher winner of the 2012 PCES Turkey Trot is Mrs. Gallant with a time of 6 minutes and 48 seconds.

Thank you to all of the students and all of the teachers that participated!!!

We will be having our 6th annual Turkey Trot on Monday! We have a one mile race every year before we get out for Thanksgiving to see who is PCES's fastest students. They will start on the track, make one lap, then run up to the sidewalk on South Railroad St., run around PCIS, back in front of PCES, then back down to the track. This will be the first year that we have a handful of teachers that will run with their students. Good luck to everyone!!

2nd - 5th grade students are being tested for the new Alabama Physical Fitness Assessment this week. The assessment involves a one-mile run, push-ups, curl-ups, and V sit.

One-Mile Run - This test  determines the level of cardiovascular fitness (how strong your heart and lungs are).

Push-Ups: This test determines muscular strength and endurance for the muscles in your shoulders, arms, back, and abdomen.

Curl-Ups: This test determines muscular strength and endurance in your back and abdomen.

V Sit: This test determines flexibility.

They are being tested now, and will be tested again in March to determine if their level of fitness has improved.

Exciting news came out this week. Jonathan Wallace will be the starting quarterback for Auburn University this weekend against New Mexico State. Our very own Coach Nelson had the privilege of coaching him in high school for 3 years. Coach Nelson has been a part of the Central High School Football program for 7 years and has been the offensive coordinator for 3 years. We are excited for Coach Nelson and especially Jonathan Wallace.

We are having a fund raiser this Thursday during your child's P.E. time. They will get to enjoy a HUGE inflatable slide if they bring $2. The money is going to help buy another state-of-the-art basketball goal for our blacktop. We raised enough money last year to get one, and we hope to have another by the end of this year. As always, we appreciate your support!!

The weather forecast for the rest of this week is great! High temperatures in the 70s and low temperatures in the 50s. It's perfect to get outside and play/exercise. Here's a list of some simple things you can do with your child:

- Hide and Seek
- Tag
- Take a walk
- Jump Rope
- Race across the yard
- Turn on some music and dance

In case you've never heard, physical activity CAN improve your child's grades. Take a look!

Physical Activity

PCES P.E. has its first grandchild! Coach Harden's daughter gave birth to Ellis Harden Bamberg last week. He came into the world weighing 2 pounds and 13 ounces. He's gaining weight and getting healthier every day. Congratulations Coach Harden!!!

Today we made the trip to Garrett Harrison stadium for our annual Punt, Pass, and Kick competition that is hosted by the NFL. Students from Phenix City Elementary, Sherwood Elementary, Ridgecrest Elementary, Meadowlane Elementary, and Lakewood Elementary were there to participate. They competed in two different divisions (boys and girls), and competed by age.

This was the local competition, and in October there will be a sectional competition for the winners from today. There were two winners each from Lakewood, Sherwood, Ridgecrest, and one winner from Phenix City Elementary. If they go on to win at the sectional competition, they will have the chance to compete in the Georgia Dome before an Atlanta Falcons home game.