Year 2021 has offered some exciting new schedule changes in the Specials/PE world. With PE for a whole week at a time, it’s exciting to see students improve and gain confidence throughout the week. With this schedule, students are able to build upon previously learned skills, and progress into more challenging skills/games toward the end of the week. This has been evident with our most recent jump roping unit. Through persistence and “stick-to-itiveness” students have learned many short jump roping skills. Jump rope can be especially challenging for students, however, as they continue to practice they understand the importance of sticking to it and developing a growth mindset. Our 3rd-5th graders worked on setting goals, establishing a “Personal Best,” and slowing down to jump rope for time. They practiced tricks such as step overs, jump bounces, crosses, jumping on one foot, jumping backwards, double unders and many more. Jumping rope provides an excellent cardiovascular workout AND develops rhythm and spatial awareness at the same time. Having PE for a full week is great for developing units, however, it’s not ideal to not see the students for three weeks in between. Because of this, it’s critical for students to continue practicing those Healthy Habits we instilled in the month of February during the 5210+ challenge. Remember, moving for 60 minutes every day is such an important habit to continue.
Speaking of healthy habits, this year’s 5210+ challenge is complete and t-shirts should be arriving the first week of May. If students completed the required 80 or more checks AND they submitted their results to UC Health, they should be receiving a Bacon t-shirt. Family members who met the 80 check requirement will go into a lottery for a chance to win a t-shirt. Thank you all for your flexibility and support with this year’s 5210+/ Schools on the Move challenge and with the online submissions. I hope you found this to be simple and easy. This continues to be a great one month program (sponsored by the Healthy Kids Club at UC Health) to encourage students, school staff and families to adopt healthy habits every day.
This past month, we also practiced hockey skills and played modified hockey games. Stick handling, forehand and backhand passes, as well as shooting and playing goalie were among the skills we practiced during our hockey unit.
Usually, this time of year, we’re talking FIELD DAY and District Track Meet. We’re still talking about these things, but know that they will look different this year. Due to Covid-19 and our continued efforts to be compliant with safety protocols, these events will look different this Spring. Field Day will be modified this year and will take place Monday May 24th and Tuesday May 25th. Weather permitting, field day activities will be facilitated outside by specials teachers during their regularly scheduled specials times. Unfortunately, per Poudre School District’s policy, no spectators will be allowed for these days. Let’s hope next year will be back to normal with our usual big Field day with Bacon families attending.
Parents, please help me in preparing your son/daughter for field day by:
1. Having sunscreen applied prior to school on May 24th and 25th.
2. Bringing a water bottle with their name on it for both days
3. Wearing a Bacon 5210+ t-shirt (or anything else that shows Bacon spirit)
The District Track Meet will also be modified this year, changing from 8 events to 4 events. The 4 events that will take place at RMHS’s French field will be the 50m, 75m, 100m, and 200m dashes. Field events and the ½ mile and 1 mile run were cancelled due to Covid-19. 4th and 5th grade students will have the chance to qualify for the District Track Meet by signing up for these events and participating in the Bacon Track Meet which was the last week of April. If students race and finish in the top 4 in their event, they’ll qualify and be allowed to compete against other 4th and 5th graders from across the district. Please know that all safety protocols will be followed at this event. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any further questions. The District meet will take place on Saturday May 8th; 4th and 5th graders will compete from 10-11 am. at Rocky Mountain High School’s French Field. If your son/daughter qualifies, you can expect an information packet to go home the first week of May.
With only weeks of school left, our focus for the remainder of the year will be to wrap up a bizarre and challenging school year in a positive way. My hope is that we can end this year with more action packed cooperative and fun games/activities. Stay healthy and let’s hope 2021-2022 will be back to normal. Have a great summer!
Thank you for supporting Physical Education here at Bacon.
Aaron Crawford
acrawfor@psdschools.org
Specials News — PE continued