Mr. Hill, our Physical Education teacher at Thomas J. Dempsey Therapeutic Day School was able to secure a donation from Outride, of specialized Rockhopper bikes, equipment, curriculum and evaluation tools to implement a bike program at the school. Students have helped to build the bikes and put together a course on the school grounds.
Information about Outride can be found at outridebike.org. Their mission is to provide research, cycling programs, and funding to empower all people to experience the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of cycling. They have partnered with nearly 500 schools and provide over two million dollars in grants yearly, impacting 50,000 youth every year.
Our Thomas J. Dempsey school received 18 bikes. Our staff and students have started building a trail system with features like teeter-totters, ramps, rock gardens, berms, rollers and table tops.
Mr. Hill shared information about the program startup process, “Specialized flew me out to their headquarters in Morgan Hills California for four days of curriculum training to help make this possible. Huge thanks to Specialized and Outride for supporting our PE program!”
The bike program has been very popular with the students. Students are engaging with the bikes, learning safety and maintenance, and are enthusiastic about sharing what they’ve learned and explaining bike riding techniques.
Janine Huffman, Principal at the Dempsey school, shared that, "The team at Thomas J Dempsey School is continually searching for opportunities to engage these students in physical activities and sensory activities to help them learn how to cope with daily stressors in their life. I appreciate Mr. Hill taking the initiative to write the grant and spending part of his summer learning about the Ride for Focus program and implementing it within our school. Our students enjoy riding the bikes and developing the trails. It gives them a sense of accomplishment.
After spending time riding with the students, Superintendent Melydi Huyett shared her thoughts, "It is truly impressive what TJD, Janine, and Dwight have created for their students. Their dedication and innovation have provided a unique opportunity that will have a meaningful impact on student engagement and growth. It is something they should be very proud of, and it is a great example of the outstanding work happening at Dixon Public Schools."
Dixon Public Schools is very thankful to Outride and are thrilled to provide this immersive, physical activity as a regular part of the programs available to our students at the Thomas J. Dempsey Therapeutic Day School. We especially appreciate the dedication of Mr. Hill and the staff at Thomas J. Dempsey school for making this exciting program a reality.
