Kung Fu Outreach Lives On!!!

Some five years ago or so, after many years assisting with kid’s classes at our teacher’s school we started out teaching after-school Kung Fu to elementary students under the business name, Kung Fu Outreach. As it turned out, there was huge demand throughout Portland Public Schools for active enrichment options for children, and we soon found ourselves with more engagements than there were days in the week! These days there is a huge movement here in Portland, where families have been taking a long, critical look at the foods being served to their children in school, as well as the amount of time students are given opportunity to move throughout the school day.

Yes, as with adults, obesity has become a childhood epidemic.

Sadly though, Portland Public Schools has been forced to cut their budget yet once again this school year, and many schools have cut their Arts, Special Education, and P.E. programs as a result of the shorfall.

And [flash forward] while we have expanded to running a small school of our own, busy with all sorts of programs and a new baby…there’s still time enough in our lives to continue working in the schools, and contributing the best we know how to helping those kids develop healthy habits through movement. It’s too fun and important not to do so.

Today was our first day back at Lewis Elementary, a spectacular Title I school in the SE Woodstock neighborhood. It felt great to be back. With a turnout of roughly 35 students, here’s to a terrific fifth year at Lewis!