Pelham partners with legislators for kindergarten skating program

Published 3:33 pm Monday, January 27, 2025

By Dave Domescik

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By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – Bent down to one knee, State Rep. Kenneth Paschal grabbed the ice skate laces of a Pelham kindergartner, pulled one side over the other and knotted them together before hitting the ice at the Pelham Civic Complex on Thursday, Jan. 23.

It was part of a special morning of ice skating at the venue, as Paschal was joined by State Sen. April Weaver and State Rep. Arnold Mooney to celebrate an initiative that featured a partnership between state government, Pelham City Schools and the city of Pelham.

The program’s goal is to incorporate ice skating into the PE curriculum for kindergarten students within the Pelham school system.

“Last November, the principal, Mrs. Khadidr Jones contacted me about a unique opportunity for our kindergarten students: three skating lessons at the Pelham Skate School,” Paschal said. “With approximately 120 students enrolled at each school, this program introduces them to the joys and benefits of ice skating.”

The event is the brainchild of Seth Greenberg, the executive director of the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena. Greenberg had been planning the event for more than a year before its implementation, meeting with Pelham City Manager Gretchen DiFante to discuss his aspirations.

“In the summer of 2023, I met with Gretchen (DiFante),” Greenberg said. “She asked me how we can grow skating in Pelham. I told her about a PE program I set up at my previous arena with the local elementary schools back in Wooster, Ohio.”

After hearing Greenberg’s pitch, DiFante planned a meeting between Greenberg and Dr. Chuck Ledbetter, the superintendent of Pelham City Schools.

“He (Ledbetter) loved it from the get-go,” Greenberg said. “An idea is just an idea until you find a way to implement it. There were still so many details to work out, and funding such a large program was one major factor.”

After this meeting, Pelham City Schools applied and received a community action grant from Weaver, Mooney and Paschal, who all represent the Shelby County legislative delegation.

Dr. Ledbetter gave further background on the importance of the partnership.

“This is such a great partnership that allows our kindergartners to have a new experience,” Ledbetter said. “They get to learn to skate, build confidence in learning new and unfamiliar things and get experiences that allow them to better understand things they see on video and read about in books. We are really excited to be able to offer this unique experience to our kindergartners as part of their PE curriculum.”

The city of Pelham is thrilled to be part of this partnership, saying that it is a first-of-its-kind offering for students in Alabama.

“This innovative initiative is the first of its kind in Alabama, offering young students a unique opportunity to learn foundational skating skills while fostering physical fitness,” Pelham Recreation Communications Manager Jenni Hodges said.

The event began at 8:15 a.m. at the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena, with PCS kindergartners eager to get on the ice.

The event was led by Christian Newberry, the director of skating at the arena and head of the Pelham Skate School.

Newberry, along with his fellow Pelham Skate School instructors, shepherded kindergartners taking their first steps on the ice and even helped some students perform intricate tricks with the brave taking spins in the air and on the ice at the supervision of the staff.

Once students were allowed on the ice, they were able to skate at their own leisure.

Some hugged the walls of the rink, while others bravely ventured onto the ice without a hint of fear.

The skating event was the final of three classes held by the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena. Various representatives from the City of Pelham and Pelham City Schools were in attendance, including Ledbetter and Assistant Superintendent Kim Kiel.

Paschal detailed how he was introduced to the event and its main goals.

“I was delighted to team up with my fellow members of the Pelham Legislative Delegation to sponsor these educational lessons through our Education Community Services Grant program,” Paschal said. “These lessons provide many students with their first introduction to the joys, artistry and advantages of ice skating while fostering teamwork, balance and confidence along the way.”

He shared that the uniqueness of the event added to its charm.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for our children,” Paschal said. “This morning, it was wonderful to see the joy on their faces. Pelham is truly fortunate to have such exceptional facilities and talented instructors at the Pelham Skate School. Experiences like this enrich our students’ education. (It is) a great partnership between Pelham City Schools and the Pelham Skate School.”

Mooney also added that the event would not be possible if the city of Pelham had not invested in a hockey rink in the first place.

“It’s just wonderful to see joy and excitement on the kids’ faces,” Mooney said. “It’s a life experience some of these kids would not have had if this rink had not been here in Pelham.”

Jones, the principal of Pelham Ridge, believes the program created an opportunity for her students to try something unique and new.

“We’re so grateful to the City for the opportunity and for opening the doors of the Civic Complex,” Jones said. “This has been exposure some of our kids may not have had before. So, it’s just opening new doors for them.”

With figure skating one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, according to US Figure Skating, PCS kindergartners got the chance to hone their skills at an early age thanks to the unique partnership between Pelham City Schools, the city of Pelham and the legislative delegation.

Greenberg added that while the event is a fun way to introduce ice skating to those who may have never tried it, his aim is to keep the kids the program educates invested in the sport for years to come.

“We view this as an opportunity to introduce young children to skating,” Greenberg said. “Hopefully, they take to it and become our future hockey players and figure skaters. Anytime we have a young child skating at the complex, we view it as an opportunity to keep them involved in skating for years to come.”

For more information on Pelham ice skating, visit Pelhamciviccomplex.com.

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