Physical education

Matthew Calarco , Director

With all the challenges the pandemic has caused this year, name some positive changes or creative solutions your department has implemented.

  1. All levels have included more technology during in person learning so that if there was a need to go remote again, all students would be prepared and able to participate in lessons to the best of their ability.

  2. In person PE, has embraced the outdoors and fresh air as much as possible.

  3. Teachers and students have become more comfortable with the online learning platforms of google classroom and seesaw. At the elementary level, teachers have created fun remote learning lessons including yoga, scavenger hunts, at home sports lessons and fitness activities.

  4. Elementary recess has been adapted for cohort station activities.

  5. At the secondary level, remote students are learning synchronously with in person students. Students are using “creative equipment” at home to mimic what is being taught in class. Some examples of this include paper plate frisbees, laundry basket basketball hoops or Kan Jam cans, fly swatters as badminton rackets, sock balls in place of traditional balls, or body weight workouts.

  6. Teachers and students are modifying and adapting what they have around them to keep students engaged, active and healthy. Ed Puzzle, google forms, google docs are allowing teachers to assign work and assess students in their progress throughout the year.

  7. Health classes have adapted projects and teaching so that students can create authentic, meaningful work using Pear Deck and Jamboards, in addition to google docs, google forms, and google sheets.

Name some unrecognized staff achievements within your department this school year.

The entire PE and Health staff has collaborated and worked together as a team. There have been numerous group chats and emails chains since last march, where the entire staff works together to brainstorm ideas, and work together to solve problems. We have been there to support each other with technology, teaching strategies and the ins and outs of teaching during a pandemic with both the in person and remote learning platforms.

Any new initiatives your department has planned for the future?

Our plan for the future is to continue to adapt and grow. We will continue to be open to new ideas and strategies.