June 2, 2014

I cannot believe that this will be my last post!  As of June 6th, I will be a retired teacher.  I have had the great privilege of teaching PE to the students of the North Schuylkill School District for 35 years.  I would like to thank the students, administration, and all the staff members of NSE for the great memories.  I wish Mr. Travis Hinkel many years of enjoyment as the new elementary PE teacher.  Good luck to all my students in future years.  Have a great summer! 

Sincerely and always a proud Spartan!
Mrs. Smith

May 13th to May 19th

The school year is coming to an end.  This week in PE, students will be traveling to Spartan Stadium to participate in track and field events.  Dress appropriately for the weather.  On May 14th, the elementary band and chorus will perform for the student body at 9:30.  The evening concert will be performed for the public on May 15th at 7:00.  Good luck to all our singers and musicians.  The annual Memorial Day program will be held om May 16th for our 5th and 6th graders.  Afterwards, the students will visit local cemeteries to place flags on the veteran's graves.  6K and 4H will not have PE this week.  Have a great week!

May 6th to May 12th

Happy Mother's Day to everyone!  We are approaching the end of the school year which means that in PE class the students will be participating in track and field events at Spartan Stadium.  We will participate in dashes, runs, softball throw, javelin, running long jump, hurdles, and relays.  Students should dress appropriately for the weather.  The elementary band will be performing on May 8th at NSHS.  Come out and enjoy the show!  Have a great week.

April 29th to May 5th

This week in PE, the primary classes will be starting the track and field unit.  If weather permits, classes will be held at Spartan Stadium.  1 Bisco and 2 Bell must still complete the parachute lesson.  Grades 3-4-5-6 will compete in relay races or begin track and field.  3 Selgrade will not have class this week due to the field trip.  On May 2nd, sixth grade will visit the high school for an orientation.  Have a great week!

April 22nd to April 28th

Hi Spartans!  This week in PE, the primary classes will participate in parachute activities.  If they have already done so, they will then compete in relay races.  The upper grades will finish the volleyball unit or run relay races.  On April 23rd, there will be assemblies in the gym.  The show is called Brainshow Mania.  It is always an enjoyable, fun filled show.  Because of this, PE classes will be held either outside or in the classroom.  Have a great week!

April 14th to April 21st

Happy Easter!!! This week in PE, we will be sharing the gym with Mr. Hysock and the 6th grade science students.  Their science projects will be on display Tuesday and Wednesday.  Grades K to 2 will be working on relay races or parachute activities.  Grade 3 will be tested on hoop skills.  Grades 4-5-6 will continue with the volleyball unit.  Teens Against Tobacco will give presentations to the students on April 21st.  Mrs. Burns 1st graders will talk about Earth Day in book exchange.  Have a great week and a happy holiday!

April 7th to April 11th

This week in PE, the primary classes will be tested on hoop skills.  Grade 3 will continue practicing hoop skills and playing hoop games.  Grades 4-5-6 will be playing volleyball.  5W will have their skills test on the mats.  6K will miss class due to the field trip.  Monday classes will still follow the PSSA schedule.  Starting on Wednesday, Kindergarten and 5th grade will switch time slots due to additional PSSA testing.  On Friday, the PTO fundraiser delivery may cause 2M and 5M to have PE outdoors or in the classroom.  Students should still be prepared for activity.  Have a great week!

March 31st to April 4th

All PE classes for this week are cancelled....April Fools!  This week in PE, as in all specials, the schedule has been changed due to PSSA testing.  Kindergarten and grades 1 and 2 will have class in the morning.  Grades 3-4-5-6 will have class in the afternoon.  Primary grades (K-1-2-3) will continue to work on hula hoop activities.  The upper grades will be playing volleyball.  5W and 6N must still finish the tumbling unit.  Kindergarten will have graduation photos taken on Thursday morning and will have special at 11:00.
Have a great week!

March 24th to March 28th

Welcome Spring!  The primary classes will begin the hula hoop unit this week, working on many different skills that can be done with a hula hoop.  Grade 3 will practice volleyball skills.  Grades 4-5-6 will finish tumbling or begin the volleyball unit.  Students will learn about sets, bumps, serving, rotation, rules, and scoring.  A written quiz will be given at the end of the unit.  PSSA testing will begin on March 28th.  Be aware that there will be time schedule changes for the classes beginning that day.  Remember your sneakers!

March 17th to March 21st

I hope everyone enjoys the St. Patrick's Day festivities.  This week in PE, the primary grades will finish the tumbling unit and be tested on tumbling skills and shoe tying.  Then the students will participate in creative movement activities and games. Don't let the leprechauns catch you!  The upper grades will practice tumbling skills through team competitions.  We take our sneakers off to work on the mats.  The next unit for grades 4-5-6 is volleyball.  Have a great week!

March 10th to March 14th

This cycle in PE, most classes will be working on the tumbling mats.  Sneakers will be removed to work on the mats.  Students in the primary grades will also be observed tying shoes.  Please practice this skill.  When tumbling tests are complete, the primary grades will work on creative movement activities and games.  A special tag game will be played in honor of St. Patrick's Day.  5W still must complete the floor hockey unit. A written quiz will be assigned for homework.  Good luck to the Spartan wrestlers at states!  Look forward to the March Madness contest between the classes.

February 24th to February 28th

The Winter Olympics are coming to an end as is our floor hockey unit for grades 4-5-6.  The written quiz will be given during the final lesson of the unit.  All classes will then be participating in the tumbling unit.  Sneakers will be removed to work on the mats.  Younger students should practice and know how to tie shoes.  Good luck to all Spartan sports teams in the playoffs.  Congratulations to all USA medal winners in Sochi!  Have a great week!

February 10th to February 18th

The Winter Olympics have begun...Go USA!  This week in PE we will be talking about the winter games in Sochi.  If you have time, and are finished your homework, try to watch some of the events on TV.  Primary grades will be working on the tumbling mats this week.  Remember, we take our sneakers off to work on the mats. Please practice tying.  The upper grades are playing floor hockey.  A written quiz will be given at the end of the unit.  Wednesday, February 12th is JUMP ROPE FOR HEART day.  All classes will participate.  Miss Prushinski has sent home information pertaining to all donations to the American Heart Association.. If NSE raises enough money to reach the goal, Mr. Jones will dress up as a duck for the day!  Have a great week.

January 30th to February 5th

The Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos will play in this year's Super Bowl.  Good luck to both teams and their fans.  Enjoy the festivities!  In PE this week, the upper grades will be playing floor hockey.  Grades K-1-2-3 will finish the ball handling and scoops unit or begin work on the tumbling mats.  When working on the mats we remove our shoes.  Please wear socks.  Have a great week!

January 23rd to January 29th

As the cold weather continues and snow is falling, please remember to bring sneakers for PE class if you are wearing boots to school.  Try to keep track of the rotation day for PE.  If you are unsure, bring your sneakers in your backpack.  This week in PE, the primary classes are finishing the ball handling unit and also working with scoops and balls.  The upper grades are beginning a floor hockey unit.  They will practice dribbling, driving, goal tending, and fielding.  The will learn the rules of the game and compete in 1 on1 or 2 on 2 competitions.  Grade 3 will practice basketball skills.  Report cards go home on January 27th.  Good luck to everyone in the second half of the school year!

January 14th to January 21st

The second marking period is coming to an end.  It's hard to believe that half of the school year is finished.  The primary classes are working on their ball handling skills.  We are using balls of different sizes, weights, textures, and colors.  Grades K-1-2 will also be working with scoops and balls during this unit.  The upper grades are continuing to practice basketball skills and compete in basketball activities.  Third grade will also be practicing basketball skills as part of the ball handling unit.  Grades 4-5-6 will begin floor hockey when finished with the basketball unit.  January 20th is an Inservice Day for teachers.  Have a great week!

January 6th to January 10th

The second marking period is coming to an end.  Winter is upon us, and students are wearing boots to school.  Please remember to bring your sneakers on Phys. Ed. day.  The primary classes are working on ball handling skills and activities.  They will be tested on catching, tossing, bouncing, and rolling.  Grades 4-5-6 are participating in a basketball unit.  Written worksheets are due by the end of the unit.  Good luck to all Spartan winter sports teams.  Have a great week!

December 9th to December 20th

The Christmas season is upon us.  I hope everyone has a very merry holiday vacation.  All classes have competed in the Bowling for Kid's Sake Tournament.  Grades are posted.  The primary grades will now go back to the ball handling unit.  Any fitness tests that were not completed will be during the next class.  If you have not received your fitness report card, very soon you will.  Primary grades will also do a lesson with rhythm sticks. Grades 4-5-6 will continue the basketball unit.  December 9th through 12th, the musical groups will be practicing for the annual Christmas Concert.  The concert itself will be the evening of December 12th.  Good luck to all participants.  On December 13th, the program will be performed for the student body.  This will be a "No Rotation" day.  There will be no special classes this day.  The student body will again return to the high school auditorium on December 17th for a performance by the high school band and chorus.  Again, this will be a "No Rotation" day.  Early dismissal will be held at 1:00 on December 20th.  A condensed schedule will be followed.  Good luck to all Spartan sports teams during the winter season.  Have a very Merry Christmas and see you in 2014!

November 19th to December 6th

During the next 2 cycles in PE, the students will be participating in a fundraiser entitled "Bowling for Kid's Sake".  The fundraiser benefits Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Schuylkill County.  Many of our high school students are big brothers and sisters to their "littles" at NSE.  The students will receive fundraiser packets in their folders which are due by December 6th.  All grades will have fun bowling in class for these two cycles.  In my classes, grades will be given for bowling skill and certificates for high scorers.  Prizes will also be awarded by Big Brothers/Big Sisters for fundraising.  We'll all have a great time bowling. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all NSE students and their families.  Have a great holiday vacation!

November 8th to November 14th

Daylight Savings Time is here and the days seem shorter.  Have you changed your smoke alarm batteries at home?  This week in PE, the primary classes will finish working with jump ropes and complete all fitness testing.  The upper grades will do the same and then start a basketball unit.  In the coming weeks there will be a fundraiser held to benefit Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Schuylkill County.  The students at NSE will be bowling for kid's sake and helping to raise money for this organization.  Information will be coming shortly.  Good luck to the Spartan football team on Friday night as they enter Eastern Conference playoffs.
GO SPARTANS!  Have a great week!