Active Bodies – Active Minds!
February 10, 2023
| Yesterday Punxsutawney Phil (the groundhog) saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. Here at Parker, we couldn’t be happier! Winter at Parker is a season full of exploration and enthusiasm, and our students fully immerse themselves in all that the season and it’s cold weather brings. With options ranging from sledding and building snow structures to penguin sliding and creating icicle art, our students are always eager to spend time outdoors on our beautiful campus. Another way we stoke the fires for learning through these dark, colder months is with our Winter Fridays program. |
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| Winter Fridays are a Parker tradition that keeps us grounded in the season while building on our physical education program and giving students the opportunity to get their wiggles out. Evidence suggests that an active learning environment with time for physical activity helps children learn better. Children need time to run around in order to learn and read. An active body truly does lead to an active mind! |
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| With this in mind, our K-8th grade students have been heading out every Friday afternoon to participate in a diverse range of physical activities. Choices included downhill skiing or snowboarding at Jiminy Peak in Hancock, MA, cross-country skiing at Pine ridge, ice skating at Bethlehem YMCA, or participating in outdoor programming right here on our Parker campus. Those who do stay on campus have also been treated to a weekly, cozy Hygge Cafe experience with Michelle Heffernan. PreK students are celebrating the spirit of contentment with weekly pajama Fridays while keeping their minds and bodies active with Prancing Pony yoga. Our Kindergarteners are also participating in weekly music and movement with Parker music teacher Sara Feltes. |
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| Winter Fridays at Parker go a long way towards boosting morale during these gloomy winter months. Students get the chance to experience life sports in new groupings with different teachers, both growing and nurturing their sense of community. All the while, their activities foster learning, risk-taking, and a sense of adventure. So here at Parker we can truly say in earnest, “Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!” |
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| Read the New York Times article that features Parker’s Winter Fridays by clicking on the photo below! |
