River Eves Elementary Hosts Annual Field Day

From River Eves School: River Eves Elementary students, faculty and parents alike participated in a day-long field day event, throughout the campus of River Eves on Friday May 11, under beautiful blue skies and bright sunshine.

Katie Snyder, Physical Education Coach and Teacher of the Year at River Eves, has modernized the school’s Field Day over the past two years. She completely revamped the program to make it an all-day event that incorporates the principles of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), PBIS (the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program) and AVID (College readiness program for Advancement Via Individual Determination).

Students show-off skills they learned in P.E. working with their teammates in 37 University themed ‘relay style’ stations. The children are left largely to their own devices as they move from activity to activity, with parents and staff monitoring to ensure safety, while they solve their own challenges.

Field Day showcases each of these principles:

STEM: STEM is seamlessly integrated in everything the students do in P.E. class. This doesn’t stop on field day. At each station, students work in teams with games that require teamwork and communication. One station that shows all four of the STEM elements is the Buddy Walker station, themed as the “Maryland Terrapins” station. To succeed, students have to move slow and steady, like a Terrapin. Six students at a time are on wooden slats with handles and must act in sync to move the slats forward. This requires a lot of cooperation, collaboration, and communication to move the team forward.

PBIS: PBIS is integrated into the daily routines at the school, and Field Day is no exception. A single station doesn’t demonstrate the principle – they all do. Students know to “Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible” at every station.

AVID: The entire field day is AVID-themed. Each station has a college paired with the game or activity. AVID requires written instructions on each station, providing students practice at reading with purpose and improving comprehension. Also, collaboration is a piece of AVID, which is on display as students work together as teams and are engaged in working towards the same learning outcome. The Florida Gators Water Balloon Toss is a relay where students will be partnered and given a balloon. On the teacher’s count, everyone tosses at the same time. The students don’t “Gator Chomp” too hard or they might pop a balloon and become knocked out.

“Field day should create an epic memory for both kids and teachers, while also being a great way to celebrate the students.” – Katie Snyder – P.E. Coach at River Eves

“Through Katie’s inspiration and enthusiasm, Field Day at River Eves has evolved from an end of year ‘fun activity’ into a day of fun-filled teachable moments,” said Principal Neil Pinnock. “I can’t wait to see what she plans for next year!” He added it was no surprise she was recently named Teacher of the Year considering how effectively she joined multiple programs that have positive influences on the school’s 600-plus students for both P.E. class and Field Day.

River Eves, located at 9000 Eves Road in Roswell, became a STEM-certified school in 2015, the first Fulton County School to achieve this designation. The school has earned numerous accolades, including two Reward School Titles for Highest-Performing Title I School.

Images Via River Eves School