Chapin’s Upper School Physical Education program, spearheaded by Mike Davis, provides myriad opportunities for sport and fitness activities. The goal is to prepare students for sport and fitness participation beyond Chapin and to reinforce the idea that health, fitness and wellness are all intertwined.
Our teachers focus on promoting happiness and self-expression through physical activity while encouraging students to lead healthy lifestyles. In accordance with Chapin’s mission, this important component of our curriculum helps educate and develop the whole child.
Whether students are playing pickleball in the Athletic Center (AC), with sunlight streaming through the windows and upbeat music pulsing through the speakers, or lying on a yoga mat in a dark room honing their meditation skills, every US student enjoys a robust, individualized P.E. schedule.
US students can choose to play traditional sports during class time or select other options like yoga, dance or Pilates. P.E. teacher Ginger Murtaugh, for example, offers a class she introduced in 2021 called “Breathwork,” during which students practice the “box breath” technique as well as the “3 point breath” to support mindfulness and relaxation. Ms. Murtaugh commented, “The students really love to come in here and have time to unwind.”
In Class 9, all students are trained using our new Fitness Studio and suspended running track. They take part in a comprehensive half-year course to learn about cardio and strength training as well as the many benefits of physical activity. During the other half of the year, students learn CPR and First Aid with Head Athletic Trainer Ali Levy and Fitness Specialist/Athletic Trainer Anne Bae. (For students who want high-intensity fitness classes, there are options available with Manager of Fitness & Wellness Marisa Maccario.)
“Throughout the term, the students learn how to respond to emergency situations, how to help and recognize when someone is choking, how to help with CPR, and understand the use of AEDs (automated external defibrillators). They receive their certification card at the end of the term,” shared Ms. Levy, who had just come from a training session where students learned how to properly use an Epi-Pen.
In Classes 10-12, students often receive P.E. credits by playing on a Chapin sports team or partaking in a sport and/or dance activity of the equivalent in stature, skill level and time commitment outside of school.
A recent popular addition to the list of US offerings is a current favorite in Lower School: Recess! To support mental health and reduce stress, US students can head to Gym 6 or the rooftop – weather permitting – during Break and Community Time (BCT) for fun games like kickball, volleyball or basketball.
Of course, students also participate in Green vs. Gold competitions during P.E. throughout the year to build team-spirit, camaraderie and teamwork.
Our talented P.E. team continuously builds upon the vigorous curriculum and finds innovative ways to engage students by marrying fun and excitement with physical activity. As Director of Michelle Caywood often says, “There’s an athlete in all of us!”
