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 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.
Win, Lose and Draw
Posted by Debbie Leidlein
The girls green (5th and 6th grade) basketball team began their season with a win, a loss (only by 1 point) and a tie. The most important part is that everyone on the team has improved their skills. Alyssa has learned to rebound and put the ball right back up, adding points to the scoreboard throughout the game. Cecibel is a versatile player who plays awesome defense, inbounds the ball, grabs rebounds and can dribble in a pinch. Madeline is learning to box out under the basket and Mandy improves her defense with each game. Bea is playing tenacious defense and has been an unrelenting shooter on offense. Sophia is also playing awesome defense and is improving in her ability to get open on offense. Marianella is a great team player who has learned to defend her zone and Karleigh and Madison are improving their defensive skills as well. Ryley, Erin and Elliott are invaluable to us when moving the ball down court, getting that fast break, and passing the ball inside. The best part is that we are playing well as a team and cheering for each other. So win, lose or draw, it’s a win in my book.
Amazing Fall 2018 Cross Country Season
Posted by Sarah Pollex
Fall 2018 was an amazing season with our 23 runners. They constantly improved and made an impact both individually and as a team. Best times was a recurring theme. At Waveny Park, Andrew took 6 minutes off his personal best. In every meet we had several top five finishers. At Merwin Meadows, eight runners placed in the top five. Over the course of the season, nearly half the team placed in the top five: Sophia, Elliott, Ivy, Michael, Bryan, Eden, Connor, Halie, Kelly and Ben. For the overall season standings, Sophia placed third among grade 5 girls, Connor placed first among grade 7 boys, Kelly placed first among grade 8 girls, and Ben placed second among grade 8 boys. Kelly won every single race, including her race at the championship meet this week. Each of our runners was fun to watch and they exhibited the character of support and sharing that makes a group a team. Congratulations to our runners on an amazing season! Go Cross Country! Go Gators!
Toilsome Hill
Posted by Faith Barbuto
Sometimes it’s an uphill battle, like when your cross country team tackles Toilsome Hill for practice. It isn’t easy but we know practicing on such a big, arduous hill improves our strength and endurance. Maybe that’s why our cross country runners consistently place in the top four in their age brackets! Just like any other challenge, you feel a great sense of accomplishment once you finish. Especially when there are cookies from Mrs. Young waiting at the bottom of the hill!
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!
