Longwood University, in partnership with Prince Edward County Public Schools, is excited to be offering its ninth year of P. E. x 3 (Prince Edward, Physical Education and Promoting Excellence). Any PECMS students in grades 5-8 may participate in this Wednesday after school program which begins September 19. This year there will be three physical activity sessions offered. The sports are lacrosse, flag football, and Tchoukball. (Tchoukball is an indoor game from Switzerland. You score by throwing the ball into a net and your opponent tries to catch it as it bounces out. If your opponent doesn't catch it, you score a point). The students will be grouped by grade level and rotate to all three activities each week. PE x 3 is held on the campus of PECMS and there is no charge. All equipment is provided and the PECMS 21st Century grant provides a snack for the students each week.

PE x 3 begins on September 19 and ends on November 7. Students may ride the activity bus at 6:15. Daylight Savings Time ends on November 3. On the last day of PE x 3 (November 7), we will finish at 5:00. This change is due to the activity bus leaving at 5:15 pm beginning with the time change. Only the last day of the program is affected.

All PECMS students, regardless of ability level or disability, are eligible to attend. Longwood University students who plan to become physical education teachers will provide instruction to the middle school students as they learn new skills. The teacher candidates are under the supervision of three faculty members from the Department of Healthy, Athletic Training Recreation, and Kinesiology. They are: Drs. Vonnie Colvin, a physical educator with over 38 years of teaching experience (21 in Virginia Public Schools), Matt Lucas in his 16th year of teaching (10 years in Virginia Public Schools), and Claire Mowling with five years of teaching experience.

Registration forms are available from the physical education teachers at PECMS and should be returned to those individuals on or before Friday, September 14. Space is limited and the program is open to the first 60 students who return complete registration forms to their physical education teachers.

For more information on the PE x 3 program, please contact Dr. Vonnie Colvin in the Department of Health, Athletic Training, Recreation, and Kinesiology 104-K Willett Hall, at Longwood University (434) 395-2452, email: colvinay@longwood.edu.