I teach PE in Oak Park Unified, and our students have benefited so much from Ready, Set, Gold! The in-person visits we received last year from Cody Jones were fantastic. The students learned so much about acceptance and inclusion from him, and his energy and enthusiasm added so much to our fitness lessons. Plus they loved learning throw the javelin! We had one student in our school with the same disability, and each week he also went out of his way to spend 5-10 minutes with her and help to inspire her to try new things and be involved with sports.We've also used some of the RSG! virtual videos on inclement-weather days (yes these sometimes exist in SoCal!) and the students have really enjoyed learning about the journeys of different athletes and exercising alongside them.
When first approached with the opportunity to partner with Ready, Set, Gold! in 2020, the most important component that I was looking for from their program was commitment to students. As a Physical Education teacher, I witness the resiliency that young people have when they see people come and go in their lives. Ready, Set, Gold! understands the importance and powerful influence that a Coach can have in a student's life when they commit to being there as a mentor, someone they can count on. Since partnering with Ready, Set, Gold!, the Olympians and Paralympians have faithfully shown up and honored their commitment to our students and campuses. Our students have not only learned more about health and fitness, but they are regularly being encouraged and inspired by Olympians and Paralympians who live by values such as dedication and commitment. One of the most powerful influences of Ready, Set, Gold! on our campuses has been hearing the stories of how these Olympians and Paralympians began to develop resiliency at the same age of our students, despite the obstacles and circumstances they faced in their lives. I am so thankful for what RSG has done for our students and I will be a lifelong supporter and partner of their program. -Alejandro Ramos, Elementary Physical Education Teacher
The Los Angeles Sports Council and the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games sponsor a program "Ready, Set, Gold!" which does a remarkable job of sharing experiences of Olympians with children and young adults in our Los Angeles and Southern California geography. These experiences may include training habits, nutrition, general physical fitness, and a commitment to success in all aspects of life.
As we deal with the challenges of Covid 19 and the isolation that affects the mental and physical health of so many of our younger people, Ready, Set, Gold! shares information from highly successful athletes to help motivate these young people to do their best in school, sports, and in their personal lives. The forum in which the information is shared is online, often K - 12 classes at public schools., although the online protocol is can easily be used in other public and private school environments.
Ready, Set, Gold! is a terrific program that is making a real difference!
Ready, Set, Gold! has been with our school for several years. Each year I am blown away by the confidence our girls have to break a sweat, how the boys are making healthier food choices and overall the class works as a team. These skills are not only shown when our Olympian comes to visit but they also apply these tools in the classroom.
Last year the Olympian was talking about perseverance and it took nearly half her life of training and 3 years of missing the Olympic team, later that week a students parent came to me after class talking about her daughters view toward overcoming her dyslexia. Her daughter now approached these difficult life experiences as opportunities and a way to grow.