Happy Summer!

It is hard to believe that another year is coming to a close, but here we are, in our final full week of school. The year has been filled with numerous challenges and successes for all of our students, and it an absolute gift to have the opportunity to experience these with your children. I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the families in the Lower Division for allowing us to be a part of raising these amazing youngsters! As we round out the year, we will continue to review the units that have been covered throughout the year, and give the students a chance to choose some of their favorite activities as well. May your summer be filled with many happy memories, safe travels, and good health. All the best, Coach Pope

Splash Day and review!

The highlight of this week is sure to be Splash Day. All classes will have the opportunity to experience all the water fun during their regular PE class. Students who do not wish to get wet will have other dry options as well. Please be sure to send a towel and sunscreen!

The rest of the week will consist of review of previous units, including Frisbee, Burnball, Bocce, and Speed Minton. Should be a great week for all!

Frisbee and Horseshoes!

This week students will be finishing up our Frisbee unit with Frisbee Golf and Ultimate Frisbee. The students have learned to throw the frisbee accurately, even when its windy! Horseshoes give the students the opportunity to work on tossing, understanding rules, and score keeping - plus its loads of FUN! Wonder who will get a ringer this week!

Welcome Coach Kendall!

This Monday marks a special day for the Shorecrest Community, our first student "Coach for the Day!" Coach Kendall F. spent the day leading classes with our team and was a great addition to the crew - wish we could have her all the time!

This week we'll be introducing Frisbee, first learning the proper technique for throwing, then using our skills in several different games. The unit will culminate with a round of Frisbee Golf, taking us all around the field. Remember - FLAT FRISBEES FLY FARTHER!

Speed Minton Tournaments, Mile Runs, and Regional Track!

What a busy week we have in store! We'll start our week with our Speed Minton Tournaments for 1st through 4th graders. Using an advancement technique I learned from friends who played handball in New York City, students will have the opportunity to play in the class "championship" of Speed Minton. In this system winning individuals move up the ladder to the coveted "A" court, which has to be won to be kept. It is an exciting way to allow the students to experience competition without elimination! Ask your child who spent the most time on "A" court in his or her class!

We will also be completing the mile run this week for grades 2 and 4, since we were displaced last week by the District Track meet on our Track! On Thursday, I will be traveling to Naples with 23 of our Varsity Track athletes for the Regional Track meet. Our girls team were District runners-up and we hope to see great success both on the track and in the field on Thursday! Go Chargers!

As for the remainder of the week - ECC will continue to work on balance through the use of stations in the mini-gym. Kindergarteners will be treated to both group cooperative games and individual class activities. Make-ups for the Presidential Fitness Test will also be completed for 3rd and 4th graders.

Celebrate the Arts!

This week, with Celebrate the Arts, some of our classes will be affected. Therefore, we'll use the week to finish up several units. First, the 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders will be completing their fitness testing - including running the mile. Third graders will run on Tuesday, second and fourth on Thursday.

First through fourth graders will also be completing their Speed Minton unit. Students will learn to play games and each class will participate in a tournament to find the champions for each grade level. Its sure to be a fun week for all!

Field Day and Speed Minton!

On Tuesday, April 5th, the Lower Division students will participate in Field Day from 10-11:30 on the Football field. We are excited to be bringing back some of our favorite games, including at least one that should be new for everyone - can't tell you what it is, you'll have to be surprised tomorrow! We will also be allowing those students who were not able to run the mile at the track meet to run in front of this large crowd. It is sure to be an action packed day!

This week we will also be introducing Speed Minton, a net-less variation of Badminton. Students will have the opportunity to build upon racquet skills from previous units - this is a test, do you know which unit? As always, fitness and sportsmanship will continue to guide our discussions, warm-ups, and influence our daily lessons.