Arrowhead PE
September 2025
Teachers
Hello! I’m Nycole Swearingen, and will be teaching at Arrowhead on Tuesdays and Thursday again this year.. This is my eighth year teaching elementary PE, and my 23rd year teaching overall. Before earning my PE endorsement, I was a second and third grade teacher at Kenmore Elementary. I’ve been married to my wonderful husband, Jeff, for fourteen years and we have a fabulous thirteen year-old son named Sam. I have a passion for teaching health and fitness, and I also LOVE soccer (Go Sounders!). I’m very excited to be working with your fabulous students again here at Arrowhead!
Hello! I am Kaya Knaggs, and I will be teaching PE at Arrowhead on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. This is my 9th year teaching PE, and my 4th year teaching in the Northshore School District.
You will see below I do not have any of my own kiddos yet, but I do have an energetic golden retriever named, Bodie! My fiance, Joe, and I are also getting married this October!
Like Nycole, I am very passionate about teaching my students healthy habits that they can use for a lifetime! Some of my favorite activities are volleyball, pickleball, and going for walks or hikes with Bodie! I am so excited to be working at Arrowhead again this year!
September Focus Areas
This month we will be focusing on welcoming back our students, getting to know our new students, as well as establishing our class routines and expectations. Additionally, we will be working with all grades on team building and cooperative games.
This year you can help your students find success and enjoyment in PE by:
*Making sure they have sneakers and clothes they can move in on PE days.
*Encouraging adequate sleep at a night and a healthy, balanced diet.
*Helping your children find physical activities they enjoy (bike riding, swimming, dancing, hiking, team sports, etc.).
*Prioritizing growth over mastery of new skills.
*Encouraging a growth mindset and best effort.
*Joining in with your kids’ activities and modeling healthy choices.
Shoes Needed!
To our wonderful community:
We would love any of your gently used tennis shoes to add to our PE Shoe Shelf!
Having proper footwear in PE helps our students be safe and successful! We currently have a shelf with a range of sizes that have been donated in the past - thank you!
We’d love to add some more to the shelf this year.
Please reach out to Kaya & Nycole with any questions. Shoes can be dropped off at the gym, or to our box in the office!
4th and 5th Grade Fitness Testing
Fitness testing is mandated for all fourth and fifth graders in the State of Washington. The kids participate in the testing three times per year. They are tested in the pacer (cardio-respiratory endurance), push ups and curl ups (muscular strength and muscular endurance), and the back saving sit and reach (flexibility). Like any test, these results are just a snapshot of your child’s proficiency in these areas. We DO NOT tell the students where they fall on the healthy zone spectrum, and only you see the results report. Rather, we use the testing to focus on personal goal setting and growth for the students.
Nutrition Tips
September Recipes
Click on the links below for tasty new dishes to try!
Joke of the Month
What has ears but can’t hear a thing?
A cornfield!
Local Fitness Activities
Beat the Blerch 5k- September 6th Carnation
Fly Away Family 5k Walk/Run in Kenmore -September 13th
Run of Hope Seattle-September 21st