The "Best Parts of My Week" can be summed up in two words: FIELD DAY! Well, alright, a little elaboration is necessary.......
The Memories
.....I recently spent some time with my son and some of his friends. One of his friends and my son were students at North Park once upon a time.......We were reminiscing and the memory from North Park that came up time and time again was Field Day! My son's friend said: "Field Day was the best!" These young men are adults now and have careers, but they still remember Field Day! I start preparing for Field Day in late March and by the time the event arrives the excitement in the air is palpable, but somehow I am always surprised by how excited everyone gets! I wonder if other alumni remember Field Day with the same excitement?
The Weather:
.....We divide our Field Days by grade levels to keep the event fresh as the years progress but also to be sure that age appropriate activities are included in the various Field Days. Tuesday morning was Field Day for grades 3 and 4, Tuesday afternoon was Field Day for grade 5, and Wednesday morning Field Day was scheduled for grades K-2. The weather was cool and cloudy (actually a perfect day for Field Day), and we hoped for the rain to stay away for both days. It did and we were able to complete all Field Days in grand style!
The Families:
.....We have so many wonderful parents and adult family members that volunteer to help with our Field Days. It makes me smile to see the excitement on the faces of the parents as well as on the faces of the students!
.....Every year we have moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, and other family members come to Field Day just to watch their children participate. It's great to see the pride on the students' faces when their family members cheer them on!
.....This year we had some North Park alumni who were parent volunteers. I had fun reminiscing about Field Day when they were students. (Yes, I was their PE teacher back then!)
.....Some of our parent volunteers for our 5th grade Field Day remarked that it was their last Field Day at North Park. They have volunteered unselfishly for so many events at North Park for so many years. We will miss them and their children!
The Students:
.....Our students were amazing during Field Day! Our Field Day events are non-competitive and meant for fun and exercise. Students know this and it was heartwarming to hear our students cheering for each other!
.....As I was moving from station to station at our various Field Days, I participated in some of the stations with the students. I was included in each event enthusiastically and students were happy to share that they were having a great time!
.....My wonderful husband helps me to set up for Field Days very early on each scheduled day. When the event is over, I always marvel at how quickly the equipment is cleaned up. I had some wonderful help from students and families! This help made it easy to get ready for the next one!
Fitness Frankie and Exercise Ernie
.....I had a terrific time taking Fitness Frankie and Exercise Ernie to each of the events! Students were happy to see them and smiled for the camera along with FF and EE! I was even able to introduce them to some of our parents who had not yet met them!
My Colleagues
.....I work with an outstanding group of professionals who work incredibly hard everyday to teach our students. Field Day requires a school-wide effort and I am so grateful to all of my colleagues who helped in so many ways....supervising stations, helping to set up, cheering, being flexible with daily schedules, and so much more! I can not do it without them.......Thank you to all of my wonderful colleagues!
Thanks for reading about the "Best Parts of My Week!"
Visit the North Park PE website if you would like more information about the PE program at North Park!
