While most of us look at a 3-day weekend as a time for rest and relaxation, others have more ambitious plans. On Sunday, September 4, more than 120 professional racers will race through the hills and steep streets of San Francisco in the San Francisco Grand Prix, a 108 mile race. Fontana Unified School District’s own Dr. Ken Decroo, Principal of Grant Elementary School, will be one of the event participants – as both an educator and cyclist.

Grant Elementary School is a model school for the Discovery Educator Network, a nationwide community of educators who currently use digital media to make learning more powerful and engaging. Discovery Educators collaborate with like-minded peers around the country, to help their fellow teachers harness the power of digital learning.

The Discovery Educators Network is part of Discovery Communications, Inc. which includes the Discovery Channel, Discovery Education, and Unitedstreaming. They also sponsor Team Discovery, a pro cycling team that included Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France winner, until his retirement last month.

Dr. Decroo is an avid cyclist and races competitively. Several months ago, he pitched an idea to the Discovery Educators Network to form a cycling team of educators and call it Team DEN (Discovery Educator Network). Dr. Decroo said, “Cycling builds morale and teamwork. It’s not so much about winning the race as finishing the race. Team DEN would exemplify finishing what you start, as in finishing school. We want to involve educators and students in an activity that takes us outside. That promotes fitness and staying. Staying out of trouble, staying in school and staying fit.”

Knowing of Dr. Decroo’s interest in cycling, Jannita Demian, Discovery Educator Network’s California Manager, invited him to participate in the San Francisco Grand Prix of Cycling with Team Discovery. In addition to riding portions of the course, Dr. Decroo will be blogging on the Discovery Educator Network’s DEN Blog throughout the race, as well as appearing at a booth at the Expo to share information about the Discovery Educators Network.

According to Pro Cycling Tour, the San Francisco Grand Prix of Racing is regarded as America’s toughest race due to the punishing hills and steep streets of the city. Dr. Decroo said that he is very excited to participate, both in the race and in promoting the Discovery Educators Network.

Dr. Decroo is also proud that on Saturday, October 15, the Fontana Unified School District will be hosting the DEN Launch Event at Grant Elementary School. DEN members from throughout the state will be attending to hear speakers and collaborate.

Web links:

• The Discovery Channel
• Discovery Educators Network
• DEN Blog
• Unitedstreaming
• Team Discovery

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