Bernalillo County to offer PE classes for homeschooled students

BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. – Bernalillo County is bringing back its series of homeschool programs held at local community centers. One of the first programs this year is a physical education class for homeschooled children.

KOB 4 spoke to one of the organizers about what children can expect this year. 

“We go through the whole school year, so we’ll have sessions. I think we’re gonna have up to eight sessions this year,” said Vanessa Flores, a community center manager at the Vista Grande Community Center in Sandia Park. 

The center is getting ready to welcome back a unique program through Bernalillo County. 

“We average about 18 participants for this program, and it’s just growing. I think after COVID a lot of parents chose to go the homeschool route, and we definitely have seen an incline since then,” said Flores. 

Starting Sept. 1, Vista Grande is bringing back homeschool PE every Friday of the month. 

Flores says the program is a great way for homeschool students to make new friends. 

“They do a lot of activities together just outside of the community centers. So they’ll get together, and they’ll do play dates and things like that. And I think it’s just nice for interaction for the kids, that social interaction that they don’t get being home,” Flores said. 

The first lesson is on archery. For one hour every Friday children age 5-14 can come learn the basics. And it only costs $8 for the entire session which is four classes. 

Flores says Vista Grande is one of several community centers that hold homeschool programs like these. 

“I know some centers will have homeschool arts and crafts programs, one of them has a homeschool wheel program, where each month they do a different theme,” said Flores. 

She says getting to see children socialize is one of the most rewarding things about the program. 

“Oh, it’s the best. It makes it worthwhile for what we do. We wake up every day, and we notice the same. So it’s exciting to come in and see the kids, and kind of how they’re going to be and just the different interactions,” said Flores.

Sign up for the program just opened. Click here for more information.

If you can’t sign up for this session, Flores says there will be more throughout the school year.