| The newest physical education program at Naperville
Central High School would appeal to anyone who dislikes physical activities
because of the frustrations caused by below average motor skills and coordination.
The course is called Adapted Physical Education (APE) and is being sponsored
by Pat Hoppenrath, who has a master's from Northern Illinois University
in that field.
Now in its second year at Central, the APE program focuses on improvement in self-concept and motor skills. With the help of student leaders who volunteer to assist during their regular P.E. class, Ms. Hoppenrath offers individualized instruction for a wide range of students, including those with temporary handicaps due to injuries as well as persons with permanent disabilities, medical prescriptions, or below average motor skills. An injured student can benefit from prescribed activity in the APE class instead of sitting out and assigned physical education class in a study hall. For the person who has poor motor skills, a carefully planned progression of movement activities provides daily opportunities for success, thus increasing self-esteem. "We break tasks down into small components so they are more easily mastered, and we move at a slower pace than some of the more traditional physical education classes," said Ms. Hoppenrath. A unit on volleyball, for example, might begin with a balloon or a beach ball in place of the volleyball. This allows a longer reaction period and more time to work on eye-hand coordination, while it eliminates the fear of contact that is present when a harder, faster ball is used. According to Ms. Hoppenrath, the activities in the APE class are comparable to those offered in regular physical education classes. The major difference is that volunteers make it possible to provide more individual attention and to set goals based upon individual needs and abilities, resulting in the daily successes that boost self-esteem and develop interest in a more active lifestyle. Activities offered during the year include Frisbee games, regular and miniature golf, bowling, swimming, volleyball, badminton, "power-walking", scooter races, etc. A Naperville resident since the age of two,
Ms. Hoppenrath, joined the NCHS faculty in 1984 after doing her student-teaching
at Waubonsie Valley High School. As a graduate assistant at NIU,
she provided physical education instruction for special education students
ranging in age from preschool through high school in Aurora and DeKalb
County.
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