New tracks at elementary schools

Over the summer, the Homewood Board of Education installed running tracks Homewood’s three elementary schools. 

Not only do the students enjoy the track during physical education class, but the community is also enjoying it as well. 

 “At Shades Cahaba grades K-5 have used the track as one of their goal-setting tools,” said Genie Christian, PE teacher at Shades Cahaba. “It has been so rewarding to watch the students create their goals then exceed them. It has boosted their self-esteem, made them feel stronger, created a sense of accomplishment and contributed to their overall happiness — it doesn’t get much better than that.”  

Christian said goals range from one lap to moving the entire run to passing a student who was faster than them before. 

“What I love seeing is that the track is being used not only by our students but also by our community,” said Jennifer Andress, president of the Birmingham Track Club and a Homewood parent. “One summer evening my sons and I were running on the track, and we saw our neighbors walking and another family enjoying it as well. As we were leaving a man joined us with his dogs to go for a walk. Another friend, who had not exercised in a long while, went up on a Sunday afternoon with her son to begin walking again because of the new track. It is a true asset for our community!” 

John Dorough, PE teacher at Edgewood Elementary, said on most Mondays his students log a mile for the Mercedes Kids’ Marathon.  

“It is not always easy to get them fired up about running a mile,” he said. “Now that we have the new track, we have students that have not wanted to participate wanting to get out there and be more active. And the students that have always enjoyed running are very excited about the new track. Several have said it makes them feel like they are on a ‘real’ track team.”

-Submitted by Homewood City Schools