Triton board members try out heart monitors used in gym classes

Triton school board members got a first-hand look at the heart rate monitors used in middle school physical education classes last week.
Physical Education teacher Shane Van Beck passed out the monitors to each school board member and had board members wear them during his presentation, demonstrating how he could track each student’s numbers.
Students in sixth to eighth grade physical education classes pick up their heart monitors at the start of class, Van Beek said. During class, he said, he can monitor how the students’ heart rate changes at they are active.
“They’re learning that anything that gets your heart rate going is good for you,” Van Beek said.
There are several advantages to this, he said. First, it is easier to for him to know how hard a student is working during class. This makes it easier for him when it comes time to assign grades or parents ask about a student’s performance.
It also can provide an early indication if a student has a medical problem, he said. If the heart rate indicates a problem, he said, the student can be referred for medical evaluation.
Van Beek said the idea came about several years ago when staff was talking about technology in the middle school.
Working with Dodge County Public Health, Van Beek said, the school was able to get a SHIP grant that paid for 75 percent of the cost for the monitors and software. The monitors and software cost just under $5,000, he said, and between the SHIP grant and other outside sources the cost to the school district was approximately $400.
In the future, he said, he would like to see the program expanded to include students at all grade levels.
“I applaud him (Van Beek) for helping write the grant,” Superintendent Brett Joyce added. “I don’t know any other school using these.”
Activities Director Don Henderson also gave a recap of the winter sports activities at the school.