Wellness

Awareness of the importance of healthy eating and an active lifestyle permeates The Summit. Healthy snacks, fresh catered lunches, and plenty of outdoor activities are integral to the learning environment. Students also have the opportunity for structured physical education classes multiple days each week.

The physical education program at The Summit strives to achieve a balance between providing opportunities for vigorous physical exercise and developing decision-making skills necessary to pursue a healthy, active lifestyle. Students participate in games and activities that encourage locomotor and nonlocomotor movements, as well as the development of skills such as throwing and catching, dribbling, dodging, jumping, skipping, and running. Students also manipulate objects such as jump ropes, balls, beanbags, frisbees, bats, racquets, and other equipment. Exposing students to a wide range of activities and equipment promotes a well-rounded education in sports and fitness.

By incorporating several experiences into each class, students of different learning styles and athletic ability are able to achieve success for lifelong healthy living. Multiple learning needs are met through the different locations of P.E. (outside and inside spaces), as well as the varied daily activities, which are both individual- and team-oriented. Guest instructors and sports professionals are brought into the classroom to teach sessions or full units, such as Karate, Cross Fit (circuit training), and ice hockey. The physical education program advances the mission of The Summit by advocating the virtues of a sound body with a sound mind, allowing each student to achieve personal goals while gaining strength and self-confidence at an individualized pace.
Lower School students focus primarily on refining fine and gross motor skills, developing their spatial and body awareness, and building social relationships with peers. Students use manipulatives such as balls, beanbags and jump ropes to improve hand-eye coordination and muscle control. As students progress throughout the year, they work on building muscle strength and endurance through activities like push-ups, jumping jacks, tag, and balancing exercises. During later elementary years, students focus on team-oriented games like kickball, capture the flag, and Ultimate Frisbee. A strong focus is placed on refining the skills necessary for solving problems and practicing good sportsmanship.

Once students enter the Upper School, P.E. classes are elective and participation is based on the interests of the students. Classes continue to introduce students to a wide variety of sports, developing each student’s strength, endurance, and self-confidence. Units during the 2010–2011 school year included lawn games, Cross Fit, ice hockey, bowling, tennis and golf. Students often travel off campus for P.E., providing them authentic experiences in learning to skate, playing ice hockey, and bowling. Upper School students are encouraged to participate in certification programs such as SCUBA diving and CPR. They work towards accomplishing personal and shared goals, which contribute to positive self-concept and healthy decision-making skills.

P.E. activities are developed to directly benefits students in their learning of other content areas. Certain activities and games are directed with Spanish commands. The P.E. curriculum also incorporates classroom topics of study into the P.E. class. For example, first and second graders learned Native American dances in P.E. while studying Native Americans in social studies. Technology is incorporated through the use of pedometers in past years, and the use of video clips to introduce new units to students (like Double Dutch jump rope).

Healthy choices and wellness are modeled by the adults within the school by community faculty and staff exercises. The healthy hot lunch program and an emphasis on making the best choice in food or beverage are encouraged and demonstrated by staff and parents within the school. The school community event, The Summit Run, promotes physical fitness and is an event in which all students, parents, and friends of The Summit are invited and encouraged to participate.