The First Tee National School Program’s expansion in Georgia was made possible through a partnership with Georgia Power. Extending their longstanding relationship with the PGA TOUR and golf, Southern Company is The First Tee’s Education Patron.
“We appreciate the investment in our students by exposing them to golf in a way that not only advances their physical education curriculum, but also enhances their character development,” said Atlanta Public Schools Associate Superintendent Steven W. Smith.
More than 100 public schools in Georgia will begin to deliver The First Tee National School Program as part of their physical education curriculum this school year. The program expansion, which will include 13 Atlanta Public Schools (APS), is happening in association with Georgia Power, the largest subsidiary of Southern Company.
The announcement was made today at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola, where representatives from The First Tee, Southern Company, Georgia Power, APS and Georgia AHPERD (Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance) were present.
The First Tee National School Program is an extension of the programs offered by local chapters, including The First Tee of Atlanta and The First Tee of East Lake. The program seamlessly introduces elementary students to golf skills and Nine Core Values within the physical education instructional setting. The program is aligned with and meets national standards developed by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE).
“Southern Company’s customer-focused business model is guided by SouthernStyle – the company’s value proposition that includes Unquestionable Trust, Superior Performance and Total Commitment,” said Southern Company President of External Affairs Christopher C. Womack. “The character education lessons taught through The First Tee National School Program – honesty, judgment, respect and responsibility – are consistent with the principles to which employees of Southern Company and our subsidiaries aspire.”
Over the coming months, P.E. teachers in the 13 selected APS elementary schools (to be determined) will receive The First Tee National School Program curriculum, professional development training and age-appropriate equipment.
“We’re proud to help bring the very successful First Tee National School Program to students in Atlanta Public Schools,” said Georgia Power Metro East Region Manager Mitchell King. “Georgia Power has a strong history of encouraging new education initiatives across the state and we look forward to continuing to support the work of The First Tee in Atlanta and other communities.”
Earlier this year, First Tee implemented the same program at 34 schools in Savannah, and 39 in Augusta and Waynesboro. Other schools will be identified this fall. Nationwide, there are more 5,800 schools in 800 school districts participating in The First Tee National School Program.
“We are grateful for Southern Company and Georgia Power’s commitment to The First Tee,” said Joe Louis Barrow, Jr., chief executive officer of The First Tee. “Expanding this program allows for a significantly greater number of students to benefit from the introduction to a life-long sport and its inherent values.”
For more information about The First Tee program in Atlanta, visit http://www.thefirstteeatlanta.org or www.thefirstteeeastlake.org. For more information on The First Tee National School Program, visit www.thefirsttee.org/nsp.
About The First Tee
Since its inception in 1997, The First Tee has introduced the game of golf and its values to more than 7.6 million young people in all 50 United States and four international locations. The First Tee is an initiative of the World Golf Foundation and its Founding Partners are LPGA, the Masters Tournament, PGA of America, PGA TOUR and the USGA. Shell Oil Company is The First Tee’s Founding Corporate Partner and Johnson & Johnson is its Legacy Partner. Former President George W. Bush serves as honorary chair.
The First Tee (www.thefirsttee.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization whose mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. With its home office at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Fla., The First Tee reaches young people on golf courses, in elementary schools, at other youth-serving locations and on military installations.
About Atlanta Public Schools
Atlanta Public Schools (APS) is one of the largest school districts in the state of Georgia, serving approximately 50,000 students across 103 learning sites. APS is organized into nine K-12 clusters and two citywide single-gender academies, where students are offered rigorous instructional programs that foster success in school and life. APS is renewing its commitment to stakeholders through excellence, equity, ethics and engagement. For more information visit, www.atlantapublicschools.us.
2 comments
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Who will be selecting the 13 schools to participate? I am very interested in this being offered at my daughter’s school, Burgess Peterson Academy. I just enrolled my daughter in First Tee at Eastlake on my own and I am very pleased with the program. I would love for the rest of the school to have more access to it!
Thank You,
Debra S. Cartee Parent of 1st grader, Burgess Peterson Academy