USADA curriculums adopted by District 11 schools

Maintaining a level playing field for the country’s top Olympic athletes long has been the mission of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. Now, USADA is spreading its message into the classroom, hoping to educate students about the danger of performance-enhancing drugs.

A pair of comprehensive curriculum invented by USADA was approved this month by Colorado Springs School District 11 in part of its physical education and health education programs, with implementation for 29,000 students expected by February.

The “100% Me” and “That’s Dope” courses, featuring a packet of self-assessment tools, teachers’ manuals and student-activity workbooks, will be offered for the first time at the elementary, middle and high school levels, as District 11 hopes to become further in line with recently adopted state and national health and physical education requirements.

Students will learn about sound nutrition practices and various aspects promoting healthy lifestyles; the values that sport instills, including honesty, respect and sportsmanship; the difference between body type and body image; ways to diffuse pressure to take anabolic steroids; and risks associated with dietary supplements and energy drinks.

District 11 curriculum facilitator Peggy Vigil dubbed USADA’s curriculums “the most purposeful that I’ve seen for character development,” stressing they’re “the only resource currently available that combines ethics, drug prevention, nutrition and energy drink and supplement lessons in one package. The curriculums are interactive and engaging.”

USADA chief executive officer Travis Tygart said the curriculums are beneficial because “sport plays a unique role and provides a tremendous opportunity to impart solid, positive lessons in building a foundation for healthy, ethical lifestyles.” He added, “Our aim is to empower young people with the invaluable skills for making smart choices.”

For more Olympic coverage, visit www.gazette.com/olympics. Check out our Olympics blog at http://gazetteolympics.freedomblogging.com.