Students Go for the Gold During Olympics at Congress Park School

The Winter Olympics have come to Congress Park School thanks to physical education teachers, Shawn Riordan and Carla DiMaio. Without having to travel all the way to PyeongChang, each one of the K-6 students at the Brookfield-based school had the experience of being an Olympian. Throughout the week of Feb. 12th, the students played a modified version of an Olympic event such as curling, ice hockey, speed skating and tobogganing. The students loved Congress Park’s Winter Olympics so much that it was decided to extend the events through Feb. 22nd.

“It was a fun experience and a great way to practice sportsmanship and teamwork,” said Shawn Riordan, Congress Park School physical education teacher.

The goals of the Winter Olympics were for students to maintain a high level of fitness and physical activity and to focus on positive teamwork and good sportsmanship. A torch relay kicked off the Olympic themed activities as students were placed on a team that represented a country. They remained on the same team throughout the week, and the teachers kept track of the number of bronze, silver and gold medals that each country won. At the end of each class period, the country/team with the most medals had the honor of standing on a podium and having their country’s National Anthem played for them while medals were presented to them. The closing ceremony was held on the final day and honored all of the countries.

Photo Caption 1: First graders Liam Brown, Dillon Matthews and Mollie Ryan displaying their medal at Congress Park School.

Photo Caption 2: Sixth graders Ron Zeman (blue shirt) Rebecca Barry (maroon sweatshirt) Kayla Rodriguez (goalie in pink shirt) Lillian Koukola-Shambo (white shirt) Mykel Burrell (striped shirt) and Daniel Strzelczyk taking part in floor hockey during the modified Winter Olympics at Congress Park School.