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Dear Baker families,
This week is one of my favorite weeks at Baker every year. This week is filled with joy, passion, student centered learning, and community. Tuesday began sneaker week and tomorrow is our annual Baker 5k. At Baker we view physical education as an integral part of child centered learning.
Throughout sneaker week students are able to elect from a variety of different physical activities. Some examples of these activities include kung-fu, boxing, yoga and my personal favorite, soccer. Having student choice provides our students with an opportunity to choose an activity they might already love outside of Baker or also provide students with an opportunity to take risks in trying something new.
Sneaker week is also an opportunity for adults in our community to teach other talents/passions they have and share it with the students. Many parents and teachers in our community have athletic talents that are able to shine this week. This provides another form in which parents and teachers can support students beyond their typical classroom setting. There is nothing like hearing students say “WHAT?!? Mr. Z knows how to play soccer?!” Or “Mr. Leach, why are you so good at golf, is there something you can’t do?!” These interactions strengthen community building among students, parents, and teachers.
Another magical component of sneaker week is that the athletic activities during the week are taught in a multigrade setting. 1st-3rd, 4th-5th, and 6th-8th grade students are able to learn new skills and play together. This allows them to foster stronger bonds that will last throughout their time in Baker. A lot of the language you hear from students during sneaker week is “come on, you got this!”, “Great job”, or “I can help you.” This is a great opportunity for students to continue to build community with other students who may not be in their grade level.
Then, at the end of the week, we have the much anticipated Baker 5K. What you will see is that this is a whole school community event. Every student is looking forward to encouraging their Baker buddy throughout the race! This may be the oldest students cheering on their younger buddy as they take off from the starting line or the younger students waiting for their buddy at the finish line!
The Baker 5K is an amazing tradition not only because of the community aspect, but students also get to see themselves grow each year! Each grade has a color, 1st grade has the iconic rainbow that connects all the colors together. Every other grade has a different color to represent their grade. Every grade looks forward to wearing their purple Baker 5K shirt in 8th grade! By the time students are in 8th grade they are also able to look back and see how much they have grown as runners! Each year they push themselves and reach new heights.
What you might not see is the Baker wellness team and parent volunteers setting up the Baker 5K course in the early morning. Their hard work and dedication allows for the students to be able to run the 5K course as efficiently as possible. Also, while students are running the course they will also see ALL of their Baker teachers and faculty throughout the course encouraging them along the way. Baker families are also welcomed to come run the race with their child or cheer them on along the way! It is AMAZING to be surrounded by so much positivity while also promoting health.
Come on out and see the magic happen,
Mr. Z
Danny Zamudio
Dean of Student Engagement
Athletic Director
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