And they're off...running, jumping, balancing, stretching...

1st and 2nd grade began the year focusing on movement concepts, basic skills and coordination. We encourage team work and cooperation, emphasizing these skills through a variety of games and relays. We will soon be starting team building skills, teaching the importance of working together, and encouraging one another.

We plan to work towards the goal of teaching the students to play soccer .We will teach the rules, techniques, and proper form for the sport. Through the game of soccer we will reinforce the various skills developed over the course of the year.

The 3rd-5th grade children began the year with team-building skills emphasizing communication and listening. Currently the children are a week into their basketball unit learning the skills of dribbling, passing, shooting, and teamwork. Looking ahead, the boys and girls will transition to a baseball unit where throwing, catching, hitting & basic rules will be covered. Next our fitness unit will take center stage, and the children will improve their flexibility, endurance, agility, and upper-body strength.

The 6th through 8th grades will begin with soccer. They will be learning such skills as: dribbling, passing, throw-ins and scoring. They will also be participating in intramural games. Following this, we will transition into basketball, also focusing on skills followed by intramural games. Next, we will be working on our track and field unit, focusing specifically on keeping our body in proper cardiovascular shape.

Eat well. Drink a lot of water. Get a good night's rest. Challenge yourself to become more physically fit!

RECESS UPDATE

Hillel's youngsters will have a little more to do at recess this year. Students may bring personal playground balls, jump ropes, etc. to school once again.

The change in policy will provide more play equipment such as balls, jump ropes and hula hoops, and will incorporate sharing personal equipment with students in grades K through 8.

The endeavor to bring balls back to recess began as a conversation between Mr. Tremblay and Coach Stewart. Inclusion and total engagement of children during their recess time was the focus. This change will have the children continue playing cooperatively with the forethought of fewer discipline problems. It will empower the kids to take pride in being in charge of the equipment, and in taking care of retrieving and depositing the equipment before and after recess.

Personal equipment for the playground should be labeled with the student's name to avoid confusion. The school however is not responsible for a student's personal playground equipment if lost or stolen.