Parents Hit the Gym at Great Hearts Harveston

Each year, Great Hearts parents have a unique opportunity to take over their child’s seat in class and gain a comprehensive understanding of a typical school day during Curriculum Night. This event, held within the first few weeks of the school year, allows parents a moment to step into their child’s shoes for an evening, and in the case of parents at Great Hearts Harveston, a K-8 academy located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the parents took this time to step into their child’s gym shoes.

Parents who attended Austin Ventura’s physical education class got a real taste of their child’s daily routine. Mr. Ventura shared his enthusiasm for the event. “My favorite part about Curriculum Night is seeing all of the parents go through a typical school day. It is a lot of fun,” he said. “This allowed them to see the structure and teaching their scholar is receiving in each classroom. I also think they enjoyed playing Rock, Paper, Scissors in P.E., but that’s just me!”

Physical education plays a crucial role in the overall development of students, and Mr. Ventura’s class is no exception. P.E. at Great Hearts Harveston promotes physical fitness while also teaching valuable life skills such as teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship. And Ventura says he thinks it should be fun. “That’s something I really think kids should take away – exercise can be fun, right? Because I think it’s easy to say, ‘I don’t want to go do an exercise. That’s not fun.’ But if you do things like [the Rock, Paper, Scissors game], they want to do it and at some point, they don’t realize they’re exercising. They’re just like, ‘I have to hurry up and do these as fast as I can so I can hurry up and get back in there and play again.’ And they’re moving fast. I think that’s super important. My job is to try to make it fun,” he said as he addressed a group of parents who had just finished a round of the game.

By participating in these activities, students develop quick thinking and strategy in a fun, engaging way. The physical education curriculum is designed to ensure that students enjoy a balanced and well-rounded education, contributing to their mental and physical health.

Ventura also seemed to be having too much fun keeping the adult “scholars” in orderly lines while navigating the halls, threatening to blow his whistle if anyone got out-of-line. But it was all in good fun and lightly showcased the elevated standards placed on their children each day.

Curriculum Night is designed to provide parents with insights into the school’s curriculum and classroom dynamics. It’s a chance for parents to squeeze into small chairs and desks, getting a view of the classroom from their child’s perspective. Throughout the evening, they meet their child’s teachers and participate in a condensed lesson with the same material and resources their child is using every day. Teachers also introduce resources like Singapore Math and Spalding Phonics, equipping parents with the vocabulary and tools necessary to support their child’s learning at home.

For those who are not yet a part of the Great Hearts Harveston community, but are interested in getting a firsthand look at the exceptional educational experience offered, the faculty invites you to sign up for a tour of the school. The tour provides valuable insights into the curriculum, application process, enrichment programs, athletics, and more. Interested in seeing the school in action? Sign up for a tour below: [Insert tour signup]

Great Hearts Harveston is still currently accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year, with limited seats available. Open Enrollment for the 2025-2026 school year will begin on November 1, 2024. This critical window is the gateway for families not currently attending the academy to secure a spot for their children at this state-of-the-art institution.

For more information on enrollment deadlines and to submit an application, visit https://harveston.greatheartsamerica.org/enrollment-timeline/.

Do you have a story or know of a story that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts? Please contact jason.moore@greathearts.org.