NBES Girls on the Run

         NBES (North Brooks Elementary) has partnered up with Girls on the Run South Georgia. Girls on the Run is a program that “inspires all girls to build their confidence, kindness and decision-making skills. Dynamic lessons instill valuable life skills including the important connection between physical and emotional health,” (girlsontherunsouthgeorgia.org). 

According to Girls on the Run website, “Girls on the Run inspires girls of all abilities to recognize their individual strengths, while building a sense of connection in a team setting. Volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life skill development to enable girls to adapt to whatever comes their way. At the end of the season, the team completes a 5K together, which provides a tangible sense of accomplishment and sets a confident mindset into motion.” 

At NBES volunteer director and coach is Whitney Monetti. NBES teams meet each Tuesday and Thursday from 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Morven track located behind City Hall building. All the coaches working with the students in this program at NBES have had to go through coaches training and be a volunteer. 

The girls at NBES go through lessons in five areas. Those five areas are Confidence, Character, Care, Connections, Competence, and Contribution. Lessons are designed to show the girls how each of these areas are important and help them learn to find their own in this world. 

Confidence is lessons designed to build self-worth and help feel greater confidence in who they are. The activities that they do help them recognize their personal strengths and how to stand up for themselves and others. 

Character lessons provide skill-building experiences to nurture their physical, social, and emotional competencies. These can them be applied to areas within their own lives like school, home and within the community. 

Care lessons focus on furthering to develop their abilities to sympathize and empathize both within their social groups and beyond. It also helps them learn how to respond to others and themselves in a caring and compassionate way. 

Connections lessons are focused on team building and cooperative skills through groups. Girls learn firsthand how to create positive connections with peers, their teachers, caregivers, parents, and their communities. 

Competence lessons focus on gaining awareness of the power they possess to make intentional decisions. Girls learn how to choose positive actions that demonstrate responsibility and respect not only for others but for themselves. 

Lastly, the girls will learn contribution lessons. These lessons focus on the girl coming together as teams and creating and executing a community service project. This will help the girls develop and strengthen life skills so they can thrive. 

The Girls on the Run is for girls in 3rd to 5th grade. Each girl who has signed up may continue every year until they move to the middle grades. Girls who want to continue with the program will them move on to Heart & Sole for grades 6th through 8th. 

If you would like to know more on this program, how to volunteer, or locations you can visit their website at

https://www.girlsontherunsouthgeorgia.org/. NBES director of the program Whitney Monetti will be glad to answer any questions if she is able and you may email her at wmonetti@brooks.k12.ga.us. 

Wishing these girls at NBES a great upcoming run.