The elementary school annual sports day is Friday February 24^th. All families are invited to attend.  Students will bring home a program for ES Sports day the week before on Friday February 17th. Students will participate as a class in a variety of activities that promote an active lifestyle, teamwork, and developing physical skills. Our focus is understanding that physical activity provides opportunities for enjoyment, challenge and social interaction. We also expect students to display good sportsmanship. Outlined below are some of the sportsmanship issues we discuss with children. As parents you can play a significant role in helping your child become a good sport. 

We also ask parents to assist at each station with your child where appropriate. Please ask the staff member in charge at each station how you might assist.  We look forward to seeing you on Sports Day 2012.

What parents can do to promote good sportsmanship.

1. Be a good role model for your children. Children learn by example, so show them how to practice good sportsmanship by not always expecting to win. Explain that winning is not always an option, but that it is always appropriate to be a good sport.

2. Good sportsmanship is a side effect of having good character. Teach your children how to interact with their elders, coaches and peers with a positive attitude, one that shows respect for all involved in the game.

3. Keep your ego out of your children’s game. Some parents, never having had the opportunity to play a sport (or play it well), live vicariously through their children’s sports success. Stay focused on your children’s best interests and get over your own high school insecurity.

4. Healthy competition is great, but make sure to emphasize other aspects of the game. Friendship, skill, exercise and good sportsmanship are major factors that contribute to a successful experience. After games ask your child “Did you enjoy that?” rather than “Did you win?” or “Who won?”  Remember the number one reason that children consistently give as to why they participate in sport, is to have fun and be with friends. Emphasize this aspect in your post game conversations.

5. Acknowledge and praise other team members and members of the opposite team. Likewise, address and correct negative behavior immediately.

6. Mind your sideline behavior. Do not try to coach the coach, your children or other members of the team during the game. Regardless of how bad the call, refrain from yelling at the official.

7. Teach your children how to take personal responsibility for situations. If your child made a bad play, so what? Don’t point fingers or pass blame on to someone else – or encourage your child to do so – to prevent your child from having a hurt ego.

8. Good sportsmanship involves sharing. Even if your child made the winning basket, teach him to include the whole team in the glory. Remind your child that it takes teamwork to win a game.

Losing – On Your Own

Sometimes kids lose on their own, like in a neighborhood game of basketball. These situations can be extra-hard if there are no grownups around to be the referees. Then it’s up to kids to decide among themselves whether something counted as a basket or a foul. It’s good for kids to learn to play without a grownup deciding everything but it also can lead to a lot of arguing. Each kid wants his or her team to win and may feel very strongly about plays that don’t go the team’s way.

How do you solve these disagreements? It’s best if everyone tries to be fair. Some kids still might cheat or bend the rules, but you can do your best to be fair. That might mean giving the other team the benefit of the doubt. Maybe you thought a basket shouldn’t count and the other team thinks it’s OK. If it’s close, you might say, “OK, it can count.” Hopefully, the other team will be just as sportsmanlike when one of your calls could go either way. Even if they’re not, you certainly can’t be accused of cheating or playing unfairly. You’ve done your part to bring good sportsmanship to the game.

Kids who are good sports – and don’t freak out when they lose – will become known as kids who are fun to play with. Kids might not be as eager to play with someone who gets angry all the time and won’t ever give the other guy or girl a break.

10 Ways to Be a Good Sport

Here are some ways that you can show others what good sportsmanship is all about:

1. Be polite to everyone you’re playing with and against. No trash talk – which means saying mean things while you’re in the middle of a game.
2. Don’t show off. Just play your best. If you’re good, people will notice.
3. Tell your opponents “good game!” whether you’ve won or you’ve lost.
4. Learn the rules of the game. Show up for practices and games on time – even if you’re the star of the team.
5. Listen to your coaches and follow their directions about playing.
6. Don’t argue with an official if you don’t agree with his or her call. If you don’t understand a certain call, wait until after the game to ask your coach or the official to explain it to you.
7. Don’t make up excuses or blame a teammate when you lose. Try to learn from what happened.
8. Be willing to sit out so other team members can get in the game – even if you think you’re a better player.
9. Play fair and don’t cheat.
10. Cheer for your teammates even if the score is 1,000-1! You could inspire a big comeback!

Reviewed by: Steve Sanders, PhD
Date reviewed: August 2005 http://www.kidshealth.org/PageManager.jsp?dn=KidsHealth&lic=1&ps=307&cat_id=20070&article_set=22069

After School Activities for Kindergarten will begin on January 25, 2012 and will end on May 23, 2012. It will be held every Wednesday from 2:20 to 3:15 pm. The program is strictly for Kindergarten students only.

There are going to be 6 sections of students and each will be supervised by teacher assistants. They will assist the activity coaches and escort students to their activities. They will pick up/return your child to/from the Kindergarten Hallway every Afterschool Activities day.

Your child will stay with their section and attend all activities described below on a monthly rotation (a different activity every month) and it is free of charge!

TRANSPORTATION:

• After the activities, Bus riders will be picked up by their respective bus mothers from the Kindergarten Hallway
• Other students must be picked up by their parents/guardians at 3:15 from the Kindergarten corridor; students who are not picked up by 3:20 will be taken to the ES office   
• Teacher Assistants will remain with your child until he/she gets picked up.      

The after school activities program aims to expose Kindergarten students to the following activities: Dance, Swimming, Art, Wall climbing, Gymnastics and Games.

By Bill Blankenship,  January 10,2012

AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES START on JANUARY 16 

for Grade 1:

On the first week of activities, students will be escorted by the homeroom teachers to the ES Canteen where they will meet their activity coaches. The activity Coaches will then take the students to their venues.  At the end of their activities, students will be escorted to the canteen or the bus area. Please meet your child in the canteen at 3.15 if they are not taking the bus home. During the first week you can arrange with the coach where you will meet your child (the canteen; the venue; etc). Thank you.

for Grade 2-4:

Students may go directly to their activity venues or they may go to the canteen to meet their activity coaches. Please arrange with your child as to where are you going to pick him/her up (e.g. ES Canteen; library; drop-off point).

By Marisa RamiccioΙ Published November 28, 2011

Every New Year is the same story: You plan to lose weight, workout for a bit, eat healthy for the first few days and by the end of the month, you’ve gained five pounds. Keeping yourself fit, healthy and slim isn’t easy and takes more than one day’s worth of commitment from that New Year’s resolution. If you find yourself making excuses for getting fit, make it easy on yourself by writing a Christmas or holiday list chock-full of gifts that are fun and promote fitness at the same time. That way, you’ll want to work out, and when that happens, you can’t help but get in shape.

1. Xbox Kinect/Wii

Everyone has fun playing video games, but playing video games isn’t good for your waistline – unless you’re playing interactive games for the Xbox Kinect or the Wii. It’s a great way to get the entire family off of the couch. There are a variety of games for each platform that will keep you fit, including celebrity workouts, Zumba dancing, yoga, bowling, tennis and golf. The best part about these games is that they enable you to work out in the comfort of your own home, when you want to, with whomever you want to – and once you start, you won’t want to stop.

2. Desk Bicycle

Sitting behind a desk all day, whether at work or at home, is not doing your waistline any favors. So take the initiative and ask Santa for a desk bike. It’s a mini, wheel-less bike that easily fits under your desk, or in front of the couch, so you can pedal while working or while watching TV. It’s great for turning even the laziest moments of the day into a workout.

3. WaterGeeks Water Bottle

Want to re-hydrate in a safe and healthy way? Use a WaterGeeks water bottle. They offer a variety of bottles that are BPA-free, stainless steel and filter water of impurities. These bottles are great for the gym, home workouts and even for traveling.

4. Yoga Socks

If you’re a fan of yoga, get some yoga socks to help you practice your positions. These socks have a no-slip grip on the bottom so you don’t slide out of position. They also have separations for each of your toes so you can stretch every part of your body from your head to, well, your toes.

5. Pedometer With Panic Button

If you like to jog through secluded nature trails or simply like power-walking down the street alone, this pedometer is for you. Not only does it track how far you’ve walked, jogged or ran, it’s also equipped with a built-in alarm system that will scare even the mosquitos away.

6. Resistance Bands

It’s crucial that you stretch before exercising so that you don’t pull a muscle. These stretchy bands will prepare you for your workout and come in a variety of lengths and colors.

7. Harbinger Jump Rope

Jumping rope is a favorite exercise of children, but it’s also beneficial for adults. It’s a great way to burn calories, strengthen the body and build endurance. The Harbinger Jump Rope is perfect for the jump rope enthusiast. The rope is double-corded and coated in PVC so it won’t stretch out. Best of all, the handles are anti-microbial, meaning it will stop bacteria growth and eliminate any odor from sweaty hands. The treatment is non-toxic and won’t wear away over time. So if you’re a germaphobe who likes to jump rope, this product is for you.

8. Gym Gift Card

Many gyms offer gift cards that can be used for membership, classes and personal training services. So if you want to go to the gym but need a little incentive to step outside the front door, a gift card should give you the motivation you need to hit the gym.

9. BodyMedia Fit System

A helpful tool when losing weight is a food journal. It helps you track what you’ve eaten during the day, how much you’ve eaten, and even the amount of fat and calories you’ve consumed. But most people don’t have the time or the discipline to keep a food journal. If you’re one of those people, ask Santa for the BodyMedia Fit System. It’s a digital tracking system that monitors how many calories you’ve burned and even your quality of sleep. The BodyMedia armband also monitors the amount of calories you’ve burned and can help you keep track of your diet online. These items are also a bit pricey, but worth it if you’re meticulous about your health.

10. Adjustable Dumbbells

These dumbbells used to be exclusive to gyms but now you can use them at home or take them on the go. They’re perfect for the weightlifter who doesn’t want to invest in increasingly heavier weights once they’ve built up muscle and strength. These dumbbells come with a set of weights on the end that you can take off or add on, depending on how much weight you want to lift. Weight can be adjusted from 2.5 pounds to 12.5 pounds of weight. There are a variety of manufacturers who make these adjustable dumbbell sets.

Sources:

• FitSugar.com
• CBS News
• My Healthy News Daily
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I tried to put several videos of my students doing their gymnastics routine when we were at the gymnastic facility but Flickr could not accommodate them because they were just too big.   However, I managed to include a video of one of my grade one class performing a teacher led routine, a grade two class going to different stations practicing juggling using a variety of implements, three great photos of three-man pyramid by my grade four class, and two videos showing grade four students performing a three-man balancing routine.  Enjoy it!

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Please be advised that the LAST WEEK of after school activities for first semester is on December 5-9. Students will have to register again if they want to participate in any after school activity for the second semester. Registration for the second semester starts on December 5. I have placed the AFAC Registration Forms in your cubby holes. Kindly distribute them to your respective students.

Each year in ES we celebrate being active with Sports Day. Our focus is on having fun being active, cooperation, and sportsmanship. This is a fantastic full day event. There will be no regular classes or specialist classes on the day. Classroom teachers will take their classes to a variety of challenging and fun activities throughout the day. All parents are invited to attend and support your child on the day. Students will also be given the opportunity to design a team logo and name to be printed onto their own ‘class t-shirt’ over the next month. These shirts have a huge visual impact and promote great team spirit (and it also makes it easier to keep track of each class!). Although it’s not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to purchase one in order to make this day even more memorable. You will receive more information about the specific activities and facilities closer to the event. Your child will bring home a t-shirt order form this week. Please return this to your classroom teacher before Dec 2nd.

UPI, Sept. 30, 2011

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Sept. 30 (UPI) — Well-meaning but overzealous parents can ruin team sports for kids — and some who start at age 3 can lose interest by middle school, U.S. researchers say.

Sandra Sims of the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Education said child athletes have two needs — to have fun and feel worthy.

“I don’t think any adult would do this purposefully, but some have taken the joy away and that is killing sports,” Sims says in a statement. “Children age 6 and younger need unstructured play. Period. They want to pick up grass, throw rocks or play with butterflies, meanwhile parents are saying, ‘You’re going to be an NFL star’ to their 2-year-old. We often treat them as mini adults.”

Most children should not commit, or specialize, in one sport until they are age 15. Sims recommends parents let children complete a season in one sport and then evaluate it and talk about exploring other choices.

“Don’t worry that waiting will negatively affect their chances of getting a scholarship,” Sims says. “Switching sports lets your child to decide which they like best and are most willing to work at to excel in.”

Parents should be aware that being on a sports team may not mean a child is fit — wearing a uniform does not mean a child gets 60 minutes of physical activity each day, this depends on the sport, the position they play and how much time they get on the field, Sims says.

By GRETCHEN REYNOLDS, The New York Times/Well blog

If you want a young person to focus intently in school and perform well on tests, should you first send him or her to gym class? That question, which has particular relevance for school districts weighing whether to reduce or ax their physical education programs to save money, motivated a number of stimulating new examinations into the interplay of activity and attention. Some of the experiments studied children; others looked at laboratory rats bred to have an animal version of attention deficit disorder. For both groups, exercise significantly affected their ability to concentrate, although some activities seemed to be better than others at sharpening attention.

The most striking of the new studies involved 138 schoolchildren ages 8 to 11 who were living in Rome. The children were physically healthy, and none suffered from serious attention deficits. But like most children that age, they found it difficult to remain fully engaged in their lessons as the school day wore on. As the study’s authors, all affiliated with the Foro Italico campus of the University of Rome, point out, children “who undergo prolonged periods of academic instruction often reduce their attention and concentration.”

To determine whether exertion could make students less distracted, the researchers, whose study was published last week in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, had the children complete several types of gym classes, as well as a typical instructional or lecture class. Just before and immediately after the classes, the children took a written test that required them to pick out certain letters from long chains of symbols in a short time. The test is widely accepted as a good indicator of a person’s attention and ability to concentrate.

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The children’s test scores rose after each of the classes. But by a wide margin, their scores increased the most after a 50-minute gym class that concentrated on endurance exercise. In that session, the young students ran, walked, skipped and otherwise kept moving for the duration of the class. Afterward, according to their test scores, they were much better able to focus.

Interestingly, the children did not improve as much after a 50-minute gym class that required them to learn new drills with a ball. That session, which was “geared toward the development of both motor control and perceptual-motor adaptation abilities,” required more thought than the endurance class, the researchers wrote. Afterward, their scores on attention tests rose, but not by as much. The researchers speculated that asking the students to both think and move was too much, inducing “an excessive stress load” on their brains.

These findings resonate intriguingly with those of other newly published experiments involving lab rats bred to have the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. These rats are twitchier and even less capable of settling down than typical rodents. They also can’t seem to stop investigating meaningless stimuli. When researchers shine a light into these rats’ cages, the animals keep going to the glow, long after they should have learned that the light was unimportant.

But researchers at the department of psychological and brain sciences at Dartmouth University found that giving adolescent rats access to a running wheel for three weeks before starting to shine the light in their cages significantly altered how the young animals responded. The exercised rats noticed the light, investigated it a few times and then moved on. Running had enabled the attention-deprived rats to better focus on what was meaningful — or not — in their cages.

The full effect of exercise on attention, though, remains tangled. During a separate part of the experiment that presented the A.D.H.D.-afflicted rats with a learning challenge, the animals that had exercised were no better than sedentary rodents at figuring out that a different light cue meant food. Exercise did not seem to boost their intellect, just as the Italian schoolchildren didn’t focus as well if their gym class added mental tasks to the physical exertion. “There is still a great deal that we need to learn about which parts of the brain preferentially are affected by exercise” in animals or people with attention deficits, said Andrea Robinson, a doctoral student at Dartmouth who conducted the rat experiments.

Still, she continued, the current findings are encouraging. “The implication is that exercise might in fact help to treat” young people with A.D.H.D. and, more broadly, enable all children to better absorb lessons in geometry or geology. “If I had to extrapolate” to children from her group’s findings in rats, Ms. Robinson said, the lesson would be, “let kids run around” during the school day and don’t require them constantly either to sit or to think. Or, to be more blunt, it may be time to start looking at gym classes not as lost academic hours but as a means to scholastic enrichment.

In grade one we start them with balloons to learn volleying.  In the video you can see grade one students volleying  balloons with different parts of their body.  The grade twos, on the otherhand, use beach ball.  Here, they try to volley the beach ball to a partner by striking the bottom of the ball to keep it up.