“Whipped Into Shape”
Rosie's Theater Kids has been working with an elementary school on West 45th St. as part of its PS Broadway program since 2003. Currently, the school has one room that serves as the gym, the cafeteria, the recreational room, and the auditorium. With no real physical education program, and a population of students whose obesity rates are rising, we saw a need to use our resources to help this school. With the RTKids® state-of-the-art Maravel Arts Center across the street from the school, it seemed obvious to support them with space, artists, and a curriculum that meets the city’s standards for both the arts and physical education.
And thus,
Spotlight on Fitness® (SoFit®) was born – a physical education program that will inspire lifelong fitness by providing instruction in tap dance for pre-K through 4th grade.
SoFit includes partnerships with both the school-based health care program, which is affiliated with NYU/Bellevue facility and with the NYC Department of Education’s Regional Arts Supervisor and Office of Fitness and Physical Education.
We are currently seeking funding for SoFit through various foundations and governmental agencies. The program began with a pilot program within the school, and now takes place daily in Maravel Arts Center. In 2009,
SoFit became an all tap-danced based initiative. Every child at our local school has their own pair of tap shoes and moves their feet through tap each week! Ideally, RTKids will form a curriculum model to replicate with other schools who are in need of quality, creative physical education programs.
Take a look at our first classes in Maravel Arts Center in the gallery below!
“Whipped Into Shape” is from Legally Blonde: The Musical; 2007; Music and Lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe, Book by Heather Hach
SoFit
SoFit 2011
All grades at PS 51 receive tap classes at Maravel Arts Center!
Spring 2009
Kids in pre-K through 4th grade at PS 51 enjoyed getting up on their feet to stretch and dance during the spring of 2009!