Eveyone a winner as W.E. C.A.R.E Sports visits South Lake Tahoe schools

W.E. C.A.R.E. Sports has spent the week in South Lake Tahoe, visiting each elementary school thanks to a grant awarded by the Tahoe Women's Community Fund to bring the program to Lake Tahoe Unified School District.

The Oregon-based organization helps support the physical development and social-emotional tenets for young children by teaching life skills and building self-esteem.

Every child is on an equal playing field as they are introduced to unique alternative sports in a positive non-judgmental environment where everyone wins.

The $10,000 grant brought a team from W.E. C.A.R.E. Sports to spend one full day at each school. They began the day with professional development for teachers, an assembly for the students, a period outside for each grade level, and a Family Night to wrap it all up.

On top of that day of activity, each school is receiving $1,000 to spend on equipment to support the longevity of the program and success for students.

They were at Bijou for two days, Tahoe Valley for one day, then they traveled to Lake Tahoe Environmental Science Magnet and will be at Sierra House on Friday. Tahoe Valley Elementary Principal Christina Grubbs and education researcher and parent volunteer Anne Davidson, PhD.

During their stop at Tahoe Valley Elementary, the W.E. C.A.R.E. team of Chris Bortnem and Mag Hughes used activities that concentrated on social emotional learning, by using sets of sticks that were used in many ways. This program is one of nine the outfit teaches though games and activities, each with no winners and no losers. Other programs include anti-bullying and empathy.

Family Nights were for parents to get involved in what their children did during the day. There were several stations set up that parents visited to get a hands-on experience.

"The teachers are excited to implement the movements and brain breaks they learned," said Grubbs. "This program truly integrates the physical environment and the whole child with social emotional learning."

The Tahoe Women's Community Fund is holding their annual membership dinner and celebration o Tuesday, October 30th from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Tahoe Beach Retreat. The public is invited: http://www.tahoewomenscommunityfund.org/. Besides the $10,000 donated for the W.E. C.A.R.E. program, $58,000 was donated to other area non-profits.