{"id":7240,"date":"2017-10-05T20:51:56","date_gmt":"2017-10-06T03:51:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stapletonion.com\/?p=7240"},"modified":"2020-07-03T04:34:48","modified_gmt":"2020-07-03T04:34:48","slug":"stapleton-schools-to-completely-phase-out-actual-events-from-field-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stapletonion.com\/?p=7240","title":{"rendered":"Stapleton Schools to Completely Phase Out Actual Events from Field Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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PTA member Dawn Walsworth. \u201cKids were doing lots of running and jumping and throwing. Winners of events were even getting recognized. Things were getting out of hand.\u201d Swigert PTA member Robin Harris also noticed things weren\u2019t moving in the right direction regarding field day. \u201cToo many kids weren\u2019t winning,\u201d said Harris. \u201cSure, we never had trophies or ribbons, but people who were running the events were recognizing those who were winning, and that just wasn\u2019t a good example for the kids.\u201d The team of six PTA mothers from various Stapleton schools got together to discuss a solution for the increasingly competitive field days. \u201cThe first thing we needed to do was get rid of any actual sport-type events,\u201d said Westerly Creek PTA parent Tracey Lembeck. \u201cThis couldn\u2019t be done overnight or in a year, so we needed take away one at a time and then replace it with a non-traditional field day activity. For example, we got rid of a relay race and replaced it with a popsicle eating station. And each year, we do that with one or two events. By next year, everything will be a guessing game, or a treat station, or some leisurely activity. We are really excited things have progressed so well.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Not all parents are enjoying the new format, however. \u201cThey had a rock, paper, scisoors station,\u201d complained Isabella Bird parent Ben Andreasen. \u201cThis is what field day is? Rock, paper, scissors? Get these kids competing doing actual events.\u201d Adam Shelton, whose child attends Westerly Creek agrees. \u201cWhy can\u2019t they do tug of war, obstacle courses, basketball shooting contests, baseball throwing contests, relay races, and so on?\u201d asked Shelton. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing \u2018field\u2019 about it anymore. The kids are just standing around. It\u2019s really hard to watch.\u201d Some parents are enjoying the changes. \u201cI like that it decreases the chances of getting hurt,\u201d said Bill Roberts parent Brooke Runchey. \u201cI mean, no one is going to get hurt playing rock, paper, scissors.\u201d Molly Greve is pleased winners of contests will no longer be recognized. \u201cI just don\u2019t think winning and losing should be something kids have to deal with at these young ages,\u201d said Greve. \u201cI\u2019ve never seen any kids get upset over it, but let\u2019s just prevent the opportunity for feelings to get hurt.\u201d The 2018 Stapleton Elementary School field day will be completely void of athletic talent and a competitive nature, thanks to the hard work of the PTA members. \u201cThis is something that took a lot of time and dedication,\u201d said Walsworth. \u201cTo see how far we have come, to the point of having stations with no winners or losers and no athletic skill whatsoever, is really remarkable.\u201d For a sneak peek at the 2018 field day stations, see below. 2018 Field Day Stations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n