Dancers of all ages donned their best cowboy attire for the annual Barn Dance at Palmer Lake Elementary School on November 15.
P.E. teacher Bret Mischlich began line dancing in college as a way to connect with friends. Now he hosts an annual barn dance with fun and easy-to-learn dances, and includes dancing as a regular part of his P.E. instruction. He sees multiple benefits to having dance as part of a P.E. curriculum. “Having rhythmic sense is essential in any sport,” he says, “and I believe that learning to dance will supplement one’s skills in all other types of physical activity.” He’s seen the evidence of that in his own life, claiming that dance has helped him to become a better taekwondo athlete.
To Mischlich, dancing also improves self-confidence. “PLES students are not self-conscious about moving to music because they do it on a regular basis.” Dancing is an important part of the school culture at Palmer Lake Elementary School, as well as an easy and enjoyable way for students to remain active for life.
This year’s event, on top of being a fun family activity, was a fundraiser for the fifth grade students at PLES and their upcoming trip in April to High Trails Outdoor Education Center. The High Trails experience is a two and a half day overnight camp that “supports science standards with projects and hands-on activities,” says fifth grade teacher, Laura Crowe.
He may have been dancing for 26 years now, but the Barn Dance is an especially fulfilling time for Mischlich. “My favorite part is to see how many former PLES students return to participate each year.” Both middle and high school age students fill the dance floor alongside the elementary students. Some even manage to convince their parents to join in on the fun.
For Mischlich, this year’s dance was a particularly special experience. “My son, who attended PLES and is now a Senior at Palmer Ridge High School, was there dancing beside myself and his four-year-old sister, who has already chosen dance as her favorite activity.”