Watch out, Waltham opponents. A program designed to get athletes in top condition has a new, year-round home.
The School Committee unanimously voted Wednesday night to support moving a Power Enhancement Program into one of the district's surplus schools and offering it year-round.
The Power Enhancement Program focuses on training to enhance strength, speed, flexibility and conditioning for athletes and other students. The program is similar to having a personal trainer.
Physical education teachers Richard Vittum and John Bourque garnered support from committee members, including Superintendent Susan Parrella.
"I honestly think it's something the School Department should entertain," Parrella said. "It would also keep students off the streets."
The 10-week program has been offered at the Brady Fitness Center at Waltham High School for the past two summers. Middle school students were offered the program last summer.
During the last two years, the maximum enrollment was 55 students. Vittum and Bourque said on Wednesday that they hope to expand the program in one of the district's surplus schools, again offering it to middle school and high school students and even teachers.
"We're invested in students as well as teachers," Vittum said. "We're trying to prevent injury and we're actually educating kids."
Vittum and Bourque proposed they run the program with the assistance of a part-time employee Brenda Burke, a softball, basketball and soccer coach at Waltham High School.
The first step is an assessment of students' physical conditions and a discussion regarding athletic goals. Training methods to achieve those goals are then specifically tailored to each student.
Vittum and Bourque also said they wish to offer the program as a private business, which would mean charging to pay for overhead and insurance.
The program would be made available to Waltham's high school and middle school students as well as students in surrounding communities at a price. Waltham students would have preference over students from other communities if space becomes limited.
The tuition per student will be $350 for Waltham students, $450 for students outside of Waltham.
School Committee members said they would look into the possibility of moving the program into the vacant South Middle School on Moody Street.
Jeff Gilbride can be reached at 781-398-8005 or at jgilbrid@cnc.com.
