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.
Unquowa Cross Country Is Back!
Posted by Sarah Pollex
Our athletes know that best times are the ultimate prize. They are running against themselves and setting short-term and long-term goals to monitor their progress. On September 30, our Gators raced their first meet of the season at Penfield Beach. The tide was in but that didn’t discourage them! It only motivated our athletes to attack the course with more determination as they raced to the jetty and back again! We had a record number of runners place in the top five:
-Grade 5 girls: Dahlia 1st; Sierra 2nd
-Grade 5 boys: Oscar 1st; Jack 2nd
-Grade 6 girls: Emily 5th
-Grade 6 boys: Ryan 5th
-Grade 8 girls: Madison 3rd
-Grade 8 boys: Bryan 3rd
Congratulations to these individuals for placing in the top 5 and to the entire team for achieving personal best times!
6-8 Soccer Kicks the Season Off!
Posted by Lloyd Mitchell
6-8 Soccer trekked up to Ridgefield Academy for their first game of the 2021 season. Nerves were running and adrenaline was pumping as the squad stepped off the bus and onto the field to play against their first opponent of the season. The game seesawed back and forth for the entire first half ending with a just missed shot as the half ended by 8th grader Michael. At the end of the half, the score stood deadlocked at 0-0.
Second half proved to be another fierce half of soccer with both teams battling for possession and looking for that elusive first goal. In the final 5 minutes of the game, Ridgefield broke through our iron wall defense and tallied 3 goals in the final 5 minutes. While we didn’t come out on top, we are certainly proud of our showing in the first game in nearly 2 years! We look forward to getting back on the field for our next game! Go Gators!!!
Back on the Street- the Return of XC
Posted by Faith Barbuto
It was a warm spring day, the birds were singing, the sun was shining and the breeze was just right. A perfect setting to be back with our friends running down Stratfield Road once again. This spring season will look a bit different without traveling to meets but the most important part, running with teammates, is still our main focus. The team really showed us that they remember just where we left off as well as how to add in new precautions like masks when not safely distanced. We will be exploring many local streets as well as incorporating interval training, running with a buddy and lots of stretching! With a small team of mostly veteran runners were hoping to have each student take a turn leading warm up and cool down activities. We also have lots of time and flexibility to try new ideas and are welcome to team input. At our first practice, we ran the mile at Dogwood Loop to establish a starting time for each runner. We ended with each participant sharing a goal or gratitude for this season. It is good to be back!
Taking it to the Church 3/4 Basketball
Posted by Faith Barbuto
The third and fourth grade basketball team is filled with enthusiastic players ready to learn more about the sport. With two practices under our belts, we are starting to master the basics and begin some real playing! We have 22 eager players at varying levels of expertise so we have to be creative on how we use the space and time. We are teaching to lead by example so those that listen and follow the rules will be the first on the court. Our goal is for every player to develop a love of the game and have some fun. Some of our more seasoned players will demonstrating skills in practice drills and we are thrilled to have Junior Coach Jack Barbuto with us! Just a reminder, practice this week will be at school, same pick up routine in the corral.
Girls’ Basketball Prepares for New Season
Posted by Al Boccamazzo
The Unquowa Girls’ Basketball Team is hard at work preparing for the beginning of the season. It is always such a pleasure watching their skill sets improve and witnessing the team develop into a cohesive unit as the season progresses. All of our fans get to see the players’ commitment to the program and how proud they are of their accomplishments throughout the season. We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the games. Go Gators!
It’s Sweeter at the Top
Posted by Faith Barbuto
Finally, the weather cooperated and our cross country team was able to hit the streets! Being the formidable athletes we are, our team leader of course choose to tackle Toilsome Hill! Could it be because our kind preschool teacher, Mrs. Young, is know for handing out treats to the runners who run past her house? Whatever the motive, our team attacked those hills with our usual vigor. It was a great day for running and Mrs. Young did not disappoint! Lemonade for all who conquered Toilsome Hill training.
