Barker School Creates New-Sports Program

The teens in John Griffith’s outdoor education class at Barker Alternative High School can tell you all the reasons they used to hate traditional P.E.

Running the mile was a pain. Classes were boring. The boys used to make obnoxious comments about the girls.

But Griffith has created a class that gives students chances to experiment with new sports, life-long sports in particular. He and his students use the nearby Centennial Trail, as well as other facilities in which students show interest.

Soccer? Students can play at the Spokane Soccer Center twice a week.

Swimming? Twelve passes at the Valley YMCA give students the chance to swim and play basketball.

Bowling? Fine, so long as the students make all the arrangements.

“This is really student-driven,” Griffith says. “It’s their outdoor ed class, it’s not like a traditional class.”

In the three years Barker has offered the class, Griffith has looked for new sports to involve the students.

This year he wants to crack open winter sports. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are obvious choices.

To get started, Griffith is asking Valley residents who have used crosscountry skis to donate that equipment.

“If those old skis are cluttering up your garage, why not donate it?” he asks. “These kids are talented at fixing things.”

Each alternative high school in the Valley handles physical education differently.

Students at East Valley’s Extension School take P.E. classes next door at East Valley High School.

At Spokane Valley High School, students use the gym at their former building, now the City School, as well as the YMCA. This winter, they’ll try offering ice hockey or indoor golf, said Principal Doug Grace.

And at Contract Based Education, students can earn credit on a case-bycase basis for such activities as gymnastics.

Each Wednesday, Griffith and about a dozen students walk, bike and inline skate down Barker Road to the Centennial Trail. Griffith encourages them out even on blustery days.

“Maybe we’ll see the ducks today,” says Diana Parker.

If it weren’t for outdoor ed, some of these students would have little physical activity in their lives.

“I walk up the hill to feed my mom’s horses,” said Christa Parker.

“I play video games,” offered Jerry Weed.

The outdoor ed program gets thumbs up from Griffith’s students.

“We do something different every year,” said Jill Kettenton.

“It’s good, I like it,” said Ben Vaughn. A few minutes later, Vaughn is on his bike, heading with the others for the Centennial Trail.

Griffith’s goal? He wants the students to learn that trying something new brings its own rewards.

“Go and try it. And if you hate it, you don’t ever have to do it again.”