"Physical" Education

At Friends School educating the whole child means creating a strong program for development of the mind, spirit and body.   Last week I missed the boat.  I got a "0" in Phys. Ed. because I forgot my sneakers and shorts so I could not play basketball with teachers and parents against the Middle School boys' and girls' basketball teams.  I missed out on the fun. This annual ritual is the capstone to our MS basketball season.  The kids, teachers, and Jessica Coleman still had a great time.  


On Saturday, we held our previously annual 3–on–3 Basketball Tournament.   We had teams from some of our youngest students, through Middle School, plus young alumni and adults!  I hope were able to see the action if you didn't get to play yourself.  I mean, what’s not to like? A chance to play basketball with young people!

It seems easy to list the reasons we include inter-scholastic competitive sports as part of our program.  Kids learn to practice teamwork, persistence, drive, humility and leadership, just to name a few things.  They learn lifelong skills, like doing your best and winning and losing with equal grace.  This becomes real, however, when you watch the tenacious defense of the girls' basketball team.  They trigger a LOT of jump balls just contesting disputed possessions.  Size is irrelevant.  Even the physically smallest members of the team have learned to contest and play large.  And throughout the game, as toughly contested as it may be, they cheer their teammates and consistently show respect to their opponents.

We are also working on fun ways to build teamwork, collaboration and empathy that are less competitive.  T. Shaner has done a lot of research during the last year on “Adventure Learning.”  Think physical group and individual challenges on a low “ropes” or “challenge” course in the school’s wooded lot behind the houses across from the main campus on High Street.  The school has already invested in the first three elements and the 8th Grade students spent a big part of their February Service Day clearing the ground for the course and a path to the course.  Here teams of students will face seemingly insurmountable challenges, which, when tackled together creatively, are simply fun obstacles!  This year the “Paddle Raise” at the Spring Auction will fund additional elements for the course, to be ready for the fall.

So, get outside with your students and children.  Run, jump, play games.  You’ve probably noticed, but may have forgotten, that the word “recreation,” when broken down, contains within it “re-creation.”  Make yourself new again.  Help your child learn how to make themselves “new” again too.    Get out, use your body, play a game and have fun!