Girls on the Run Nashville New Site Information & Application
GOTR Nashville P.O. Box 50175 Nashville, TN 37205-0175
Contact Information: P.O. Box 50175 Nashville, TN 37205
[email protected] www.gotrnashville.org 615-356-4829
www.gotrnashville.org
Girls on the Run Nashville Educating and preparing GIRLS for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living
Overview Girls on the Run (GOTR) Nashville offers a life-changing learning curriculum for 3rd-8th grade girls. The after school sessions combine self-esteem enhancing lessons and uplifting workouts with training for a non-competitive 5K (3.1 mile) running event. Volunteer coaches from your site lead their groups through a very specific character building curriculum, teaching well-defined social and personal skills. GOTR Nashville is committed to making this opportunity available to more girls throughout the area each year. We provide the following resources for you to enjoy a successful season with your team of girls: Coaches Training Snacks for each Lesson GOTR Newsletters Season Schedule T-shirts for the Girls & Coaches Volunteer Manual Curriculum Curriculum Resources Practice 5K Resources Registration Forms Ongoing GOTR Staff Support In order to be considered as a GOTR-Nashville program site, you will need to agree to the following:
Provide a Site Coordinator who will serve as a link between the site and coaches, participants, and parents. Must be an employee of the site. Provide a safe place for running. This does not have to be a track. The place can be a field, sidewalk, parking lot, etc.; coaches will need to be able to measure off part of the area for occasions when lessons require running a certain distance, e.g. 1 mile, 5K, etc. Provide a rainy day/inclement weather location (classroom, gym, etc.) reserved for GOTR and NOT in conflict with other programs Provide three Coaches. We require a minimum of two coaches at each site, for each lesson. Head coaches must be females age 21 and over. Assistant coaches can be male or female, age 16 and over. At least one coach who is committed to attend every practice must be both CPR and First Aid certified. In some cases, GOTR is able to assist in providing coaches if coordinated in advance with the GOTR Program Coordinator.
Each season, we receive more requests for programs than we have the capacity to fill. The more Coaches and Running Buddies that you can provide, the easier it will be to bring GOTR to your site. Group Size We require a minimum of 8 girls and limit each group to a maximum of 12 girls for sites with first-time coaches. Teams must have at least 8 girls in order to begin their season. Because much of our curriculum is related to team building and group dynamics, fewer than 8 girls may make it difficult to provide the experience we want to offer to the girls. More than 12 girls make it difficult to establish the group rapport and the depth of community we are seeking. Sites with returning coaches who are experienced
Please mail the completed site agreement to: GOTR Nashville, P.O. Box 50175, Nashville, TN 37205
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Girls on the Run Nashville Educating and preparing GIRLS for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living
may have as many as 15 girls. Sites are welcome to have more than one team if they feel that they will have more than 16 girls interested in the program. Timing and Length of Session We currently have two sessions of Girls on the Run each year.
Fall Season, which usually begins in September, meets twice a week for 12 weeks and ends in early December with a local 5K community race. To begin a session at your site in the fall, applications should be received by July 15th. Spring Season, which usually begins in February, meets twice a week for 12 weeks and ends in early May with the Girls on the Run 5K. To begin a new site in the spring, applications should be received by November 17, and planning should be finalized no later than December 15th.
Coaches Coaches will need to be provided by the site. They can be teachers, staff, parents, or members of your community—it is your choice! Coaches facilitate the Girls on the Run curriculum to program participants. It is a volunteer position that works closely with the Site and GOTR Program Coordinator, and entails approximately 3-4 hours per week. Additional time is required on two Saturdays for a 6-hour coach’s training, an end-of-season 5k race event, and for First Aid/CPR training, if necessary. Each Coach is required to:
Complete the background check form (every two years), which can be found on our website gotrnashville.org Attend a 6-hour coach’s training Coordinate and communicate with the your sites’ team of coaches; including planning a preseason meeting Understand and believe in the mission of the organization, act as a spokesperson for the program, and serve as a role model and mentor Prepare for and supervise twice-weekly lessons and lead participants in a manner consistent with the GOTR International philosophy and curriculum Interact with parents of program participants; plan and coordinate the end-of-season team celebration party Attend the end of season 5K
Additionally it is required that at least one CPR and First Aid trained coach attend every practice. Thus, more coaches with First Aid/CPR training will provide more flexibility for your coaching team. If a GOTR trained, First Aid and CPR certified coach is not able to attend, practice that day is cancelled. One person must be identified as the Head Coach, and will need to serve as the point person to communicate with participant’s parents and with the GOTR office. Our office sends regular email Please mail the completed site agreement to: GOTR Nashville, P.O. Box 50175, Nashville, TN 37205
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Girls on the Run Nashville Educating and preparing GIRLS for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living
updates and newsletters to keep you apprised during the season. All coaches will be provided a Volunteer Manual during GOTR training that will include specific instructions on how to handle situations that may arise. Fees Our program fee is $200 per girl. We offer scholarships based on family income. Included in the program fee:
24, 90-minute lessons conducted by at least two certified GOTR coaches healthy snacks at each lesson lesson handouts a GOTR program t-shirt and water bottle the registration fee for the season-ending 5K event finishing medal and end of season certificates GOTR coach training and certification fees fees for liability insurance membership fees to Girls on the Run International administrative assistance to coaches, sites, girls and parents
Registration fees do not cover the full cost of our programs; GOTR Nashville relies on individual gifts, grants and sponsorships to subsidize the difference. Scholarship Program All registration forms include a section to indicate a need for financial aid; no girl will be turned away because of an inability to pay. Our intention is to offer the Girls on the Run program to as many girls as possible and we do not want fees to prohibit participation. Getting Signed Up GOTR has a rolling site application process and applications may be submitted at any time. However, decisions about which sites will be added for the spring season will be made during the December prior to that spring season. To be considered for the fall 2015 season, all applications must be received by July 15, 2015. We will review site applications throughout the summer on a case-by-case basis. If you have further questions, please contact us at 615-356-4829 or
[email protected].
Please mail the completed site agreement to: GOTR Nashville, P.O. Box 50175, Nashville, TN 37205
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Girls on the Run Nashville Educating and preparing GIRLS for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living
Girls on the Run Curriculum Girls on the Run Nashville is the name of the organization, but we offer two programs: Girls on the Run for 3rd-5th grade (8-11 year old) girls and Girls on Track for 6th-8th grade (12-14 year old) girls. Note that Metro Nashville Public Schools can extend Girls on the Run through the 6th grade. The principle philosophies and psychological research for both programs are the same, yet the processing varies with the two different curricula for developmental reasons. The Girls on Track curriculum allows for deeper discussion on topics becoming more and more relevant as girls grow into middle school, providing a safe outlet for discussion at this crucial stage of development. Each curriculum covers 24 lessons, and each lesson follows a general pattern of incorporating goals. Lesson Format
Getting On Board. As the girls arrive and settle into a circle, the coach introduces the topic of the lesson (i.e., bullying, gossip, healthy eating, self- esteem). This portion of the lesson will include an activity and discussion. Warm Up. Next is a game - perhaps a short relay or some other brief activity. This will serve to warm-up muscles while incorporating the lesson topic. The girls will “process” this topic while stretching. Workout. This involves more running. The season starts with shorter periods of running and builds up as the coaches assess each girl's ability and pace. Eventually, the workout will build up to a practice 5K to build the girls’ confidence for participating in the actual 5K event. Cool Down. After the workout, there is cool down and more processing. The session always ends with a cheer and a healthy snack.
Curriculum Format The curriculum is divided into three parts:
All About Me. The first eight lessons are centered on the girls getting to know themselves, examining their own values, their likes and dislikes, and who they envision themselves to be. Building My Team. The next six lessons concentrate on team building, being supportive, and learning to listen and cooperate. Community Begins With Me. The last six lessons relate to the world at large, including making a contribution to your world (family, school, etc.) and also the negative messages we can receive from the world (media awareness, negative peer pressure, etc.).
The curriculum concludes with participation in a 5K run. We participate in a community fall 5K event and our very own running event, the Girls on the Run 5K is held in the spring. For both the fall and spring 5K events we provide Running Buddies to run with and inspire the girls. Mid-season, girls will practice the 3.1 mile distance, although they will not be receiving Running Buddies for this practice event.
Please mail the completed site agreement to: GOTR Nashville, P.O. Box 50175, Nashville, TN 37205
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Girls on the Run Nashville Educating and preparing GIRLS for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living
Site Agreement 2014-2015 Academic Year Thank you for your interest in Girls on the Run Nashville. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis but decisions are made in December for the Spring season, and in July for the Fall season. Basic Site Information: Site Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: School District: County: If school, what type? (i.e. private, magnet, charter, public): Please identify your curriculum interest: Girls on the Run (3rd-5th grade; may include 6th grade for Davidson) ___________________________ Girls on Track (6th-8th) _______________________________________________________________ Season(s) Offered: We offer a fall and spring program, sites sign up for an academic year, but can request to offer the program during only one season. (Circle all that apply) FALL SPRING Site Coordinator Information: The Site Coordinator’s role includes assuring the smooth implementation of the program and she/he should be available on site. She/He will be responsible for distributing program information, collecting fees, registration and health history forms, and distributing race information. Name: Title/Role at Site:_____________________ Work Phone:__________________________________ Cell Phone:__________________________ Email:____________________________________________________________________________ Team/Practice Information: Each team must contain between 8 and 12 girls (8 and 15 for teams with returning coaches), with 3 coaches age 16 and older. Please choose two days per week and the time the participants will meet for 90 minutes per session. Days: and at (time) until (time). Is this a new site or a returning site (Please circle one)? If returning, what year/season was GOTR held at this site?
NEW
Will there be any building or track usage fees? (Circle one) If yes, please list contact information for the site’s usage fees. Name:
YES
Email:
RETURNING
NO
Phone #:
Please mail the completed site agreement to: GOTR Nashville, P.O. Box 50175, Nashville, TN 37205
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Girls on the Run Nashville Educating and preparing GIRLS for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living
Readiness to Participate Checklist While Girls on the Run Nashville (GOTR) provides almost everything needed to run the program, the site is required to do the following:
Provide a Site Coordinator; in some cases this site liaison may be asked to assemble the girls, help them change clothes/prepare for GOTR and escort them from inside the school to the practice area/coaches.
Provide a safe, dedicated space for running that does NOT conflict with other programs. THIS IS ESSENTIAL. This does not have to be a track. A field or parking lot will do. Briefly describe the available running area:
Provide a location for participants to meet BEFORE practice begins. Please describe this room, office, hallway or other designated area below.
Provide a rain site. Indoor, private, preferably a gym reserved for GOTR and NOT in conflict with other programs. Briefly describe the available indoor space:
Agree to a consistent plan for recruiting girls to the program and a fair selection criterion (i.e., 1st come/1st served, lottery, etc). Please describe the plan below:
Coach Information: Please list coaching candidates – 3 coaches minimum. Head Coach must be available for two afternoons per week, and Assistant Coaches must be available for at least one afternoon per week. (For coach requirements, see page 3) Head Coach Name: Cell Phone: Email: Relationship to site: Have you gone through Girls on the Run Nashville Coaches Training within the past 2 years? YES NO Assistant Coach Name: Cell Phone: Email: Relationship to site: Have you gone through Girls on the Run Nashville Coaches Training within the past 2 years? YES NO Assistant Coach Name: Cell Phone: Email: Relationship to site: Have you gone through Girls on the Run Nashville Coaches Training within the past 2 years? YES NO
Please mail the completed site agreement to: GOTR Nashville, P.O. Box 50175, Nashville, TN 37205
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Girls on the Run Nashville Educating and preparing GIRLS for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living
Running Buddies Information: Please let us know if you are recruiting your own running buddies for the Final 5K this season. We do our best to provide as many volunteer running buddies as possible; however, teams are welcome to recruit their own buddies for each event. I will recruit running buddies for my team: (Circle one)
YES
NO
Parent Teacher Organization: Parent Teacher Organizations (PTO) are a great resource to get the information out about this program. If your school has an active PTO, please list the point of contact below: Name: _____________________________________________________________________________ Email:______________________________________________________________________________ Phone:_____________________________________________________________________________ Site Authority Signature: Please have your School Principal sign below indicating his/ her acknowledgement and awareness that GOTR will be delivered at your site. Application Agreement: I have thoroughly read through and understand the New Site Set-up Packet. If I have any questions I have contacted the Girls on the Run Nashville office for clarification. I understand that the information in this application is subject to change at the discretion of the Girls on the Run Nashville office. I also understand that submitting this application does not guarantee that my location will be added as a new program site. I understand that there are certain obligations that I must meet in order to remain in good standing as an active program site for Girls on the Run Nashville. By my signature, I understand and agree to carry out the obligations outlined in the above document. Principal Name (print):
Title:
Required Signature:
Date:
Please mail the completed site agreement to: GOTR Nashville, P.O. Box 50175, Nashville, TN 37205
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