The Blue/White Game

They were lined up and waiting. It was time for our school's version of March Madness. It was our annual Blue/White game that ends our winter basketball program at Friends. I introduced our kids to the audience with playful names that they earned during the program. Harry was no longer just Ross but Harry "The Boss" Ross, Katie became Shake and Bake Kate, and Ben earned the moniker of The Raging Cajun.

Receiving their hoop names is all part of the fun of the Blue/White game. For the months of January and February, students in the 4th - 8th grade work with me and a a several volunteer coaches to improve their skills and learn more about the game of basketball. They learn proper techniques for dribbling, passing, and shootingalong with rules of the game. Most importantly, they get to play. Along with controlled scrimmages, we use drills and games to sharpen skills and make them better players. Their favorites are three-on-two drills, knock out, and steal the bacon.

After all the Monday sessions, they get to participate in a live scrimmage with their teammates. I try to make two even teams and pit them against each other for a 4 quarter game. Volunteers Dana Stuchul and Todd Denlinger serve as team coaches and I try to be the referee. The students are pretty excited, and the play is fast and furious. However, I have noticed some important differences when our kids take the floor. First, I have never experienced a more honest bunch. I was often corrected on my calls by students from both teams who insisted I did not see the whole play. It was remarkable. As the game went on, if the ball went out of bounds, I would just blow the whistle and let them tell me whose ball it was. I also was amazed by the camaraderie demonstrated between teams as there was much cheering for everyone.

The game was tight and as the game was winding down, it was tied. The White team was up by two but the Blue team had the ball and 12 seconds on the clock. They brought it down court and passed it near the bucket (8 seconds); then another pass to the outside and a shot (4 seconds). It missed, but white rebounded under the hoop and shot again. A few bounces on the rim and the ball bounced off and time expired. Another close game and a good time for all. The kids walk away with shirts, a memory, and a little more skill than they had before. Everybody won at the Blue/White game.


ANNOUNCEMENTS

Seems like we will have our annual spring snow tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Open Houses - The following Open Houses are scheduled for the spring:

First Wednesday of each month, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm: Walk Thru Wednesdays
Saturday, March 18th, 9:30 am – 12:00 pm: K-8 & Pre-K Open Houses / Winter Play Day
​Saturday, April 29th, 9:30 – 11:30 am: Pre-K Open House

Science Fair - Our school’s annual Science Fair will be held on Monday, March 20th. The announcement letter, along with guidelines and a registration form, went home in your child’s Friday Folder a few weeks ago (the packet may also be found on our Parent Portal).

Meeting For Worship and Right Sharing Lunch - On Sunday, March 26th, State College Friends Meeting will hold their Meeting for Worship at our school at 11:15 a.m. All are welcome. Directly following Meeting, we will host a Right Sharing Meal, with the help of our middle school students. This meal helps us consider right sharing of world resources and understand more deeply the disparity of resources around the world. Look for more details soon.

School Work Day - Please mark your calendars and save the date of Saturday, April 29, from 9:00 a.m. to noon for our all-school work day. With your help we aim to install several playground improvements, tend our gardens, and get our booths ready for the school’s annual Fun Fair. We can use lots of help to get several important jobs done at the school. Please let Tr. Dan know if you are willing to help. An organizational meeting will be held soon.

Summer Camp - Registration for summer camp for school families opened on Wednesday, February 15th. This year, all registration materials are available online. So, visit our Summer Camp Page and register- some camps are nearing capacity. Please let Jackie know if you have any questions.

Fit Families - You are invited to participate in the Centre Moves Fit Families Challenge! The Fit Families Challenge is a month-long, countywide-challenge to get people moving. Just complete and log 15 workouts during the month of April to be eligible to win prizes! There is no time, activity, or place requirement for your workouts, so just get moving in any way you can! Families can register for the challenge at www.centremoves.org.