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PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical Education at Congressional School is focused on the benefits of physical activity and promoting teamwork, personal growth, sportsmanship, and school spirit. We strive to meet every student where they are developmentally and challenge students to seek personal levels of excellence in a stimulating and supportive environment.

We teach habits and skills that include the finer points of specific sports and activities but always encompass the higher level ideas of sportsmanship, decision making, discipline, leadership, and more. Students look forward to PE class because they enjoy and respect their coaches, they feel accomplished in achieving new goals, and overall, they have fun.

LEARN ABOUT OUR ATHLETICS PROGRAM

TODDLERS - JR. KINDERGARTEN

With our toddlers, physical education is very exploratory. They are at a stage where they are discovering what their bodies can do and gaining control over their fine and gross motor skills. Our classes do activities to practice and develop their abilities using beanbags, hoops, balls, building blocks, scooters, and more. They enjoy dancing, jumping, balancing, twirling, kicking, bending, stretching, and wiggling during their classes.

Elements and activities become more complex as the students build on foundational concepts in preschool and jr. kindergarten. While continuing their individual growth, working cooperatively is also introduced. There is an emphasis on learning to follow instructions, treating others with respect, resolving conflicts if they arise, and trying again when we miss our goal. They love running around and playing games and don't even realize everything they are learning at the same time.

KINDERGARTEN - 4TH GRADE

Kindergarten through fourth graders have PE three to four times per six-day rotation. Their program is based on monthly units including soccer, floor hockey, rythym and dance, gymnastics, raquet sports, and more. This monthly format provides predictable structure and tangible goals for students. Classes often include energetic, fun warm up games, group lessons, smaller focus groups, and both small and large group games.

One of our goals to to prepare our younger students for our athletics in middle school. We do this by breaking down concepts of a sport into appropriate developmental levels. Many of the same skills are used throughout all of the units, just applied in new ways.

MIDDLE SCHOOL (GRADES 5-8)

Our middle school program operates by seasons and teams and is directly tied to our Athletics program. All students are encouraged to join a sport team each athletic season (see our Athletics page for team options), and PE class becomes the primary time for team practices. Sports bring together the important life skills of working with others, determination, perseverance, and sportsmanship. Regardless of background or ability, our teams provide the place for each student to be challenged and grow in an environment of supportive coaches, enthusiastic teammates, and a cheering school community.

For those students who feel as though team sports are not for them, a fitness section is offered to keep them moving and instill a love of strong physical health.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION EXPECTATIONS

As with all subject areas, our PE classes place high importance on the Core Values of our school. Our Athletics Department Faculty came up with the following five ways that our Core Values are expected within their classes.

INTEGRITY

Your best sportsmanship is always on display. Your behavior and treatment of others is fair and generous.

KINDNESS

You treat others (classmates, teammates, opponents, teachers, coaches, fans) how you would like to be treated.

PERSEVERANCE

You always strive to have fun and put forth your best effort.

RESPECT

You treat others with respect and handle equipment appropriately.

RESPONSIBILITY

You are where you are supposed to be, when you are supposed to be there. You come to class, practices, and games in the appropriate uniform.