Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds: The Role of Physical Education in Schools

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At Travis Hill NOLA Schools, we know that academic achievement and emotional growth are deeply connected to physical health. That’s why we view physical education (PE) as more than a class, it’s a vital component of every student’s overall development. 

Daily movement helps regulate emotions, reduce stress, and improve focus -all critical needs for students who are seeking to transform their lives. According to the Journal of School Health, students who engage in regular physical activity show significantly improved behavior and emotional regulation (Watson et al., 2020). In our program, PE is structured, consistent, and purposeful. Students participate in cardiovascular training, team games, bodyweight exercises, and mindfulness-based movement. 

A growing body of evidence links fitness to brain health and academic performance. Donnelly et al. (2016) found that exercise improves cognitive performance and academic outcomes in adolescents. This is especially impactful for secure settings where students benefit from every opportunity to re-engage with learning and positive habits. Integrating physical education into our daily schedule, sends a message to students that their body and mind are worth investing in. Healthy movement leads to healthy thinking, which leads to healthy choices - and creates momentum for lasting change.