Exercising Young Bodies and Minds Every Day
Physical activities at The Unquowa School play an important role in the education of our children because we believe that rising to physical challenges can be as instructive as rising to mental challenges. Our program also acknowledges the sad reality that many children in our high-tech society lead increasingly sedentary lives. It is important to tone their young muscles, build their stamina, and provide a wholesome environment in which they may safely burn off excess energy and stimulate their mental skills.
Our program is designed to meet the developmental needs, skill levels, and interests of our students. Locomotor movements, psychomotor skills, coordination and fitness components serve as the basis of skill work within each unit of instruction.
Physical education units of instruction are introduced and proceed along a planned progression (within a grade, and from grade to grade) including fundamental skills, drills employing individual skills, games, rules and strategies. Throughout this progression, the physical growth and development of each student is monitored in conjunction with his or her social, emotional and intellectual development. Within this growth are the vital components of creativity, self-confidence, safety consciousness, decision-making, responsibility to oneself and the team, leadership, character, good sportsmanship, and putting out an effort commensurate with one’s abilities.
Recess
While P.E. offers students daily physical activity with a formal curriculum, recess provides students in PreK-3 through fourth grade with a daily time for unstructured play and physical activity. From swinging and climbing on the playground to imaginative play with friends at the edge of our woods or a quick pickup game of soccer on the field, children have time to simply play without instruction. Teachers schedule recess, and it may vary day-to-day based on the needs of their class.
Sportsmanship
In addition to the cognitive skills imparted, important social lessons are also learned, namely that earning a win is fun, losing is less fun though not catastrophic, and each outcome imparts useful lessons. Winners must be gracious; losers can’t be soreheads; the game is more important than the score and playing by the rule is everything.
Team Sports
Our teams compete as part of the Fairchester Conference which combines elementary and middle schools across Fairfield and Westchester counties.
What a Comeback!
Posted by Ms. DeAngelis
Unquowa’s fifth and sixth grade team made an incredible comeback at last Tuesday’s game against Saint Luke’s. At the end of the first half, St. Luke’s was ahead 4-1, but our Gators don’t give up that easily! Unquowa took to the field in the second half with renewed determination, and scored three more times, bringing the score to 5-4. With just six minutes left in the game, and Unquowa poised for a tie (if not a win), the referee was forced to call a break for weather as thunder boomed over head. It might not have been the outcome that our players were hoping for, but their determination and skill on the field are only increasing. This team is one to watch!
Cross Country Season Opens At Sherwood Island
Posted by Sarah Pollex
The cross country team is off to a great start! The first meet of the season was last Thursday at Sherwood Island in Westport. Fifth and sixth graders raced 1.6 miles and seventh and eighth graders raced 2.25 miles.
Together, we have created a positive, enthusiastic team culture. Individually, we had five top five finishers: Sophia placed fourth for grade 5 girls in 16:35, Michael placed fourth for grade 5 boys in 16:12, Connor won the race for grade 7 boys in 17:36, Kelly won the race for grade 8 girls in 17:51, and Ben won the race for grade 8 boys in 17:37. We are the only school in our league to have multiple first place finishers.
Tomorrow we travel to Merwin Meadows in Wilton for our second meet. Our team goal is to get out in front at the mass start. Our individual goal is to run a personal best time. Go Cross Country! Go Gators!
First Home Game of the Season
Posted by Ms. DeAngelis
The 5/6th grade Gators played a highly anticipated soccer game on Sep. 24th against an organized and intense GFA team. The Gators were quite competitive in the first half, maintaining a 1-1 tie for a little while. We remained organized and focused defensively, though GFA scored two goals to finish the half.
Despite the defeat, the Gators are eager to learn from the experience and move forward with a positive attitude. With many new and energetic players, this team will be one to watch. Go Gators!
White Soccer Team Opens the Season!
Posted by Lloyd Mitchell
Our 7th & 8th grade, coed soccer team kicked off the 2018 season after two weeks of practicing. In our opening match, the team faced off against a fiesty Fraser Woods squad. After trading shots throughout the first half, we were knotted at 0-0. The second half turned in favor of Fraser Woods who grabbed three quick goals. Fortunately, this didn’t get our team out of it and we kept fighting. Two crossbar shots were the difference between a 3-3 game and where the final score ended which was 3-1. We look forward to getting on the winning track next week at Ridgefield Academy!
Unquowa Dominates At Ridgefield Academy
Posted by Sarah Pollex
Given our second meet at Merwin Meadows was rained out, the cross country team was raring to go at Ridgefield Academy! On April 26, our 5th/6th graders and 7th/8th graders ran what is considered the most difficult course of the season, 1.6 miles and 2.4 miles, respectively. Together, we ran in our packs and met our team goal of running up the numerous hills. We took a record 21:30 seconds off personal best times! Jasper and Halie P. took 4:00 off their personal best times while Duncan and Andrew took over 3:00 off their personal best times. We set another school record with five top five finishers: Ryley placed second for grade 5 girls (12:19), Connor won the race for grade 6 boys (10:59), Kelly won the race for grade 7 girls (18:10), Halie P. placed fifth for grade 7 girls (21:10) and Ben placed third among grade 7 boys (17:29). Go Cross Country! Go Gators!
That’s Why They Call It “Toilsome Hill”
Posted by Faith Barbuto
Our Cross Country team made great use of the local topography when we practiced hill training by running up and down Toilsome Hill Road. The training is tough, but perfect practice for our upcoming meet at Ridgefield Academy, which involves plenty of uphill running. Fortunately, the weather was great and we have a big group of friends to make us smile. Having friendly neighbors, like our own Mrs. Young, who leave refreshments on their front lawn make training a lot sweeter! As always, the coaches are proud of the spirit and determination displayed by this team. Ridgefield here we come!
