Building Skills and Confidence.

Vestal Middle School is where physical education is meeting construction. During this school year, VMS has started a new partnership that brings the hands-on world of building directly into the Adaptive Physical Education (APE) environment.

This journey started with a spark of inspiration from C&K Construction, whose early mentorship set Physical Education teacher Larry Williams on a path toward integrating vocational skills with physical movement. That led to the involvement of the Johnson City Home Depot, who generously donated the essential tools and materials needed to turn the vision into reality.

At the heart of this project is VMS student, James. With the donated supplies, James is leading the way in bringing tactile, constructive projects into the Adaptive Physical Education setting. This initiative is not just about tools; it is about a "whole student" approach to learning, that incorporates, fine and gross motor skills, applied mathematics, problem solving, and confidence building.

James and Mr. Williams are currently hard at work on a few small projects. These initial builds serve as their "proof of concept." If those projects go as well as they anticipate, they have big plans for the next phase. Their goal is to go to Home Depot to discuss a long-term vision, which is to create a long-term library of tools and materials. They want to ensure that this is not a one-time project, but a sustainable resource for future students to explore the connection between movement, math, and skilled trades within Adaptive Physical Education.

A heartfelt thank you to C&K Construction and Home Depot for your inspiration, guidance and generosity in equipping James and the APE program with the tools to succeed!