Penn-Trafford students at Penn Middle School are enjoying a new Gaga Ball Pit during their Phys Ed classes. Teacher Mrs. Yackovich spearheaded a grant application and received approximately $1,700 from the Penn-Trafford Community Education Foundation (PTCEF) to purchase the set which consists of heavy-duty wall barriers and a storage cart.
Gaga Ball is an old game believed to have been started in Israel. It uses the basic movement skills of striking, dodging, jumping, and running.
In her grant application, Yackovich shared that her students always played the game during annual trips to Deer Valley Camp and that whenever they get the opportunity to play, she observed laughter, strategy, and good times had by all. “Play is an important part of a child's life,” she explained. “Play teaches us cooperation, communication, the ability to work with others and to build others up. While playing, students are reaching exercise requirements for a healthy body and mind.”
8th-graders Jordan McGhee, Juliana Reilly, and Azzurra Yorio compete in the pit
AJ Johnson, Ellie Zummo, Alexander Furko, Trinity Koshinsky, and Bryce Love enjoy playing the game