BRANDON, Vt. (WCAX) – Kids in Brandon are learning on wheels as part of the only skateboarding physical education program in the state.
When Vermont’s weather cooperates, you can find skateboarders anywhere there’s pavement. But what you don’t necessarily find is lessons and classes that teach kids how to skate.
Students at Neshobe School are learning how to skateboard safely and with technique. Fifth graders Emmy and Lily are savvy skateboarders — in their second year of classes at Neshobe School.
“I’m really interested in class because like, I’m getting a skateboard for my birthday,” said Lily.
“It’s really fun,” said Emmy.
Teachers Mary Heath and Samantha Cormany brought the program to the school 7 years ago. They had help from a $1,000 grant that partially paid for 20 safety gear sets and 20 skateboards from a company called SkatePass.
“I’m always looking for new things to do especially during the winter because we’re cooped up in this gym for a long time,” said Heath.
“It’s now become my favorite thing to teach. Because from lesson one, I started it till the end, you see so much growth. Many of the kids you saw today couldn’t get up on the board or never been on the floor. It’s something that’s growing in our area,” said Cormany.
Of Vermont’s 34 skateparks, there are options for Brandon kids to hit the pavement in Vergennes, Rutland, and a plan for one on the horizon in Middlebury.
“This is going to be really helpful for me because I have a lot of skateboarding places to go,” said Lily.
The program starts in fourth grade, and by the time students are in fifth and sixth grade, they’re able to skate comfortably.
“If they do stick with it, they do see Row eight and they can get up and then when that happens is awesome magic,” said Heath.
The teachers say that not only are the kids learning a skill they can participate in socially as they get older, but they’re also learning about perseverance and gaining pride on and off the board.
“In the beginning, it was hard for me and I feel more confident now,” said Emmy.
