I volunteered on Tuesday for the first day of street rides. Deanna and Becky were the leads.
LCI Doug, volunteer Rachel, LCI Gina:
ABCQuick Check before every ride. I was the sweep for the Yellow group led by Doug:
Wednesday, I was the ride leader for the Blue group:
Wednesday. Part of Four Seasons Westshore backs up to Natomas Pacific Pathways Prep, better known as NP3. It was a 5-minute bike ride to work this morning (big smile). Everything is new, a 2-story building, beautiful facilities and classrooms:
A very different view of Blackbird Park, which we ride by ALL the time on the street in the distance.
First day on bikes, first day of blacktop drills. In class instruction by Becky and Deanna:
Thursday. Oh my, it was hot this afternoon for after-school coaching. By the end of the 1-hour session, 3/4 of these students do not need to come back for the second session:
Friday. I admit, I was relieved when Deanna and Gina said I didn’t need to come for after-school coaching this hot afternoon.
Tuesday at Witter Ranch, I volunteered with Jane to sweep the street rides. At the end of the day for one class, I subbed for Deanna who needed to leave early. With LCI Doug, I rode with the yellow group:
Wednesday, I subbed for Deanna for the first two classes. Hurray! Emiliano learned to ride.
Thursday, the last day of street rides. I rode sweep for Doug.
at Witter Ranch. Deanna and Gina needed a bit of help when 18 fifth-graders signed up for session one.
Only four will be invited back for session two. Many just needed to refresh their skills.
at Regency Park Elementary. On Friday morning, I had so much fun riding with the first Red group. They improved so quickly, we were able to leave the park trail and practice signaling and right turns on the street.
On Monday morning, I got to ride with two Yellow groups. Great kids and it’s clear they learned a lot. Special thanks to the parent who rode sweep for us. She was so good, I soon had her monitoring an intersection while I coached from the opposite side of the intersection.
at H Allen Hight. The first thing students do after they get their bike is the ABCQuick Check.
I had the red group for street rides. One class out of five:
Huge thanks for Rachel, Maria, and Paul who volunteered as sweeps for street rides:
When a student needs to go back to campus, one LCI goes along while two groups are temporarily merged. A “bicycle sandwich” – useful for teaching purposes:
Friday was the final day with three fun bicycle activities. I did the slow race but also tried out a running race where the student only holds onto the saddle.
I worked every day this past week teaching PRS at H Allen Hight School – 38 hours. The fifth grade classes are on the second floor at HAH – 26 steps. Admittedly, I haven’t worked this hard in a long time.
at H Allen Hight Elementary School. Five 5th grade classes with just 5 minutes between classes. Wednesday a day of indoor teaching because of rainstorms. I worked with Deanna:
Thursday and Friday: blacktop drills plus one hour after school to coach beginning riders. Long day of physical work. Before school we take 40 bicycles out of a shipping container plus set out about 100 cones for the course. At the end of the day the bikes are repacked and we get the kids in the final class to pick up the cones. The one hour after-school coaching sessions were quite rewarding.
There were probably 15 kids each day. Some just needed riding time to refresh their skills. Others needed to learn from scratch. Our final success story on Friday: Vincent. We talked about a strong power pedal, eyes on the horizon. I ran alongside, barely holding him upright. After a few passes I told him, “I haven’t been holding you up. You’re actually riding on your own.” Vincent: “I am?” That was all he needed to know. Everyone who came to coaching is now riding a bike. LCIs Gina and Pierson were also there to coach and encourage.
And I’m one tired person. Three days of physical labor.
A lot of kids at Natomas Park Elementary signed up for the second after-school coaching session for Project Ride Smart. Deanna and Pierson asked for another LCI – me – to help out on Thursday afternoon. About 20 kids – I think 15 were riding independently at the end of an hour. Success!
at H Allen Hight, week 2. Monday. The fleet of 40 bicycles is stored in a shipping container – out every morning and jigsaw-puzzled back five hours later.
Tuesday. First day of street rides. I had the green group. In the back, Pierson and Becky who are training to teach Project Ride Smart.
Wednesday. Day 2 street ride. Charlie leading the green group:
Thursday. Last day of instruction and day 3 street ride. Mellissa leading a right turn at an uncontrolled intersection.
Tuesday at H Al. Pierson, interning as an LCI, taught Tuesday’s in-class lesson.
Wednesday. Transitioning to outside blacktop drills:
Thursday.
Friday. I’m about to demonstrate the blacktop drills for the day while Deanna explains the skills each student will practice.
arletelouise 