Sunshine, Movement and Mask Breaks: P.E. is a Welcome Respite for Students
With so many new procedures in school, all designed to keep everybody safe, P.E. class is a welcome opportunity for students to get outside, move around, and even take off their masks in the crisp fall air.
The district’s Physical Education teachers have been devising creative ways for students to safely add physical activity to their school day. On a recent morning, Buchanan-Verplanck P.E. teacher Derek Kisslinger could be found leading students on a hike through some nearby wooded trails, while over at Furnace Woods, P.E. teacher Joe Bruno was working on soccer skills with his students, all of whom were spaced widely apart while remaining within the circumference of individual hula hoops on the ground. Frank G. Lindsey’s P.E. teacher, John Glashoff, walked a class of first graders onto the new turf field, where there was more than enough room for everyone to stay socially distant as they worked on some soccer drills.
“We are focusing on fitness and individual skills,” said Glashoff. “They can also take their masks off, as long as they stay 12 feet apart."
“I’ve never taken students hiking before, but with the limitations on sharing equipment, we have to come up with new activities where we can be socially distanced,” said Kisslinger. “A lot of the kids hiked with their families during the shutdown, so this was a nice continuation of that activity for them.” He said he was impressed with the students’ stamina, noting that even the kindergartners have been able to complete the one-mile loop.
Blue Mountain Middle School P.E. teacher Diane Swertfager was leading a group of sixth graders in a series of floor exercises in front of the building during a cool and sunny afternoon. Each student had a mat to work out on, and everyone had plenty of room to stretch and jump. “The students have been fantastic,” she said. “They really appreciate the mask breaks when they can put 12 feet between themselves.”
All of the P.E. teachers said they will be aiming to keep their classes outside as much as possible, even during the colder months. “We’re telling the students to bring jackets and sweatshirts with them because we are definitely going outside,” said Swertfager.
Watching his students practice their soccer skills in the sun, Bruno said “they just seem really happy to be back with their friends and us.”