Parent's Corner
Welcome to Girls On The Run (GOTR) and Girls On Track (GOT) in Berrien County! As a parent of a 2010 GOTR/GOT participant this page was created just for you. Not a GOTR/GOT parent? Click on the Location/Become A Site tab above to find out how your school can signed up for the 2011 season.
There are 20 GOTR (3rd-5th grade) and GOT (6th-8th grade) lessons that are covered during the 10 week program. The first set of lessons are designed to teach participants all about themselves. For GOTR participants topics such as: staying out of the “girl box,” positive self-talk, being emotionally and physically healthy, and exploring their values are covered in the first few weeks. For GOT participants topics include: dealing with stress, time management, nutrition, and being emotionally healthy.
The second set of lessons are designed to teach the girls all about teamwork or connectedness to others. For GOTR topics include: cooperation, peer pressure, standing up for themselves, gossiping hurts, being aware of bullies. GOT covers : conflict resolution, collaborative leadership, peer pressure(alcohol, drugs, and tobacco), using the internet, gossiping and bullying, and crushes and relationships.
The third set of lessons are geared towards empowering the girls. GOTR participants learn about: how the media portrays girls/women and how to critically analyze those messages, their community and their role within, they will also develop and implement a community service project. GOT learn to: be aware of female stereotypes and how to stop their dissemination, how to honor our planet, how to serve as empowered role models and they also will design and implement a community service project of their choice.
Your daughter’s coaches have been specially trained to teach the lessons while maintaining a fun and caring environment. That environment includes Energy Cheers* which are given freely to girls who exhibit positive or helpful behavior during class. Typically one girls is singled out for something positive she has done and is placed in the center of the circle while her teammates give her an energy cheer.
*There is a set of Energy Cheers available for you to view on you tube, follow this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4jX8SJ_5i8
Remember to practice the “Unified Cheer” which is the first on the video. We will do the “Unified Cheer” just prior to the 5k event. Here are the words, it is to the tune of “We will, we will, rock you”:
Runnin’ all around ready for a 5k,
Feeling like a really strong girl today,
I’ve got sweat on my face,
Keepin’ my pace,
Shoutin’ my cheers all over the place,
Singin’ Girls On The Run will rock you (3X).
It is important for parents of GOTR/GOT participants to get involved in the program. One easy way to get involved is to check back here each week for a new set of questions you can ask your daughter about what she is learning at GOTR/GOT.
