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
There are no tryouts for Unquowa sports teams, coaches simply ask all team members to commit to attending practices and games.
In the fall, we field three soccer teams, one for Grades 3 – 5 and two for Upper School, as well as a field hockey team. Winter is all about basketball with two teams each for girls and boys. In the springtime, cross country is popular as well as lacrosse, with teams for both girls and boys. Our teams compete as part of the Fairchester Conference which combines elementary and middle schools across Fairfield and Westchester counties.
Leading the Pack
Posted by Sarah Pollex
Half way through the spring season, Unquowa’s runners have already exceeded expectations. With its roster of 17 athletes, the cross country team has made an impact both individually and as a team. Dominating the courses at Wooster School, Waveny Park and Merwin Meadows, Unquowa is the team to beat in grades 6 and 7 with Kelly, Ben and Brooke all in the top 5. Most notably, our runners are consistently earning best times at each meet and having fun. Go Gators!
Cross Country Kicks It Out!
Posted by Sarah Pollex
The cross country team had an outstanding finish to the fall season. We have significantly improved as individuals and as a team. Each runner achieved their goal and clocked a personal record. In fact, nearly all runners achieved best times at every meet! Overall, Ben placed 5th and Kelly placed 4th among grade six boys and girls, respectively. At the championship meet last Thursday at Waveny Park in New Canaan, Kelly won the 1.2 mile race against grade 6 girls. Congratulations Kelly and the entire team. Go Unquowa!
Cross Country Mid-Season Update
Posted by Sarah Pollex
The cross country team has been busy! We raced at Ridgefield Academy where Kelly placed 4th among grade 6 girls, Penfield Beach where each of our grade 7 and 8 runners earned their personal best, and Merwin Meadows where Kelly placed 2nd among grade 6 girls. Last week we returned to Sherwood Island. We enjoy repeating courses during the season because it gives us the opportunity to improve our best times–and we did! The team took a total of 12:00 off their best times! Also at this meet, Kelly placed 4th and Ben placed 3rd among grade 6 girls and boys, respectively. The team is now enjoying their taper for the championship meet at Waveny Park on November 3rd. Go Gators!
Girls White Soccer Update
Posted by Eric Werner
Unquowa vs Greenwich Catholic (2-3)
The Girls White Soccer team traveled to Greenwich on October 19th to take the field against Greenwich Catholic for a game which featured five new additions to our team. Unquowa dominated the first half of the game through a combination of skill, urgency and strong counter-attacking with a goal from Ella as the only difference maker in the half. Unquowa took their foot off the gas pedal in the second half, opening up the game for Greenwich Catholic to score three goals in quick succession in the opening ten minutes of the second half. Seeking a way back into the game, Unquowa pressed harder and harder up the field, with Sophia finally breaking through again with three minutes remaining in the game. The game ended with a heart-breaking series of shots off the post and crosses in front of the net that weren’t turned in, and in the end the girls walked off the field with a 2-3 loss. Notable performances in the game were Ella’s strong attacking, Sophia’s hard work in the midfield, and strong debuts from Samantha, CeCe, Crystal, Elizabeth, and Lexi. We’ll get ’em next time!
St. Luke’s vs Unquowa (4-4)
Those present at the Girls White Soccer game against St. Luke’s on 10/24 witnessed a real treat. Two perfectly even-matched teams with talent to spare fought a physically and mentally demanding eight-goal game which ended in a much deserved draw. With some of our best players man-marked, Unquowa needed solid performances out of every position, and that is exactly what we got. Our girls showed grit, composure, and tons of character, coming from behind to eventually tie the game in its dying moments. Notable performances included Ella’s attacking, Sophia’s outstanding substitute goalkeeping, and Raphael’s best game to-date on defense.
Put On Your Shoes!
Posted by Sarah Pollex
Unquowa’s cross country team is running its first ever fall season and they are looking strong! Best times were clocked during their first meet at Sherwood Island, where grade 5/6 runners and grade 7/8 runners completed 1.6 miles and 2.25 mile courses, respectively. Kelly placed 4th among grade 6 girls and Ben placed 3rd among grade 6 boys. Go Gators!
Fairfield Rivalry Heats up to a Barn Burner
Posted by Bobby Brennan
Unquowa got off to a fast start with early goals by Michael and Theo. FCDS countered and scored midway through the first half, but Unquowa went into the break with a 3-1 lead. Unquowa let the lead slip away and FCDS tied the game with ten minutes left in the second half. FCDS punched in two quick goals to take the lead 5-3, but Unquowa wasn’t done. Michael bent in a beautiful free kick from outside the 18 with six minutes to go. This goal was quickly followed with a fastbreak goal by Cece to tie the game in the last five minutes. The thriller came to a close with score tied at 5-5. The rivalry between Unquowa and FCDS lives on!