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C.H. Norton P.S. Intramural Model
Burlington, ON
At C.H. Norton P.S. in Burlington, we believe that all students need to have opportunities to be active and have fun in games and activities, which help to promote their self-esteem and confidence. We have always had a staff that has been dedicated to the development of well-rounded students including the development of their healthy active lifestyles. We have used the intramural program as a stepping-stone to continue to develop the lifelong skills of problem solving, cooperation, fair play, and sportsmanship throughout a students’ lifetime. These skills are as essential in the workplace environment as they are in a successfully run intramural program at school.
Our intramural program has always had a focus on the “FUN” of intramurals – Free, Universal and No one left out at Norton! Keeping this in mind, we have a school of 650 students from Grades K- 8 who participate in intramural activities that run throughout the year. Some of the activities require moderate skills while others require very little. We also have theme related intramurals such as the Rudolph Relays and Uncrate the Sun in which there really is no emphasis on skill level but rather only on participation and effort. Many of our students take on leadership roles in the development, organization, and/or implementation of the program.
The intramural program at C.H. Norton is totally inclusive - kids with special needs take part - participation is stressed, and recorded, and is part of the scores of all activities. We often have students who come back to visit when they are in high school (and beyond) and they always make a point of mentioning how much fun they had with the lunch hour activities. Long after their math test scores have been recorded, long after their last story was published, long after their last piece of artwork was posted, these students remember the fun times in the gym.
Intramurals normally run at lunch hour but occasionally at a nutrition break. Our students have a balanced day schedule and this gives us the opportunity to offer some games and activities during their first nutrition break of the day in addition to the lunch hour break. The intramural program runs from October–June and students have plenty of opportunity for different activities during these months. September is generally the set up month. During this month, Athletic Council representatives from grades 4-8 are chosen to help direct the activities for the year as well as learn how to take on the many different leadership roles available to them in this position. Each class is asked to choose at least one male and one female representative to sit on the Council. The Athletic Council Executive is comprised of staff as well as key students in Grade 8 who attended the Ontario Educational Leadership Centre (OELC) for the summer Athletics Program.
The intramural program is supervised by staff and is run by the students. For example, we have a team of “highly trained specialists”, (according to one of our key teachers), in Grade 5 who assist with many of the jobs such as scorekeeping, timing and equipment management. These students, several of whom struggle in the academic classroom, take great pride in being able to offer their assistance in these leadership roles. This model is a “win-win” situation in that the staff members do not need to be concerned with the minor details of running games and activities, but rather only be concerned with the overall management of the events while the students in these lead roles can help to make a difference in their school community by becoming involved in school life.
September:
Students who went to OELC attend a meeting with staff to discuss games and activities that they would like to see offered for the year. These students become part of the Athletic Executive.
Student representatives are chosen from grades 4–8 to be a part of the Athletic Council. At least one girl and one boy from each class are chosen including alternates.
Students run outdoor “Four Square” tournaments until mid-October. These are done at recesses and are totally organized by the students themselves. Equipment is ordered through a gift certificate that we earned for doing the International Walk to School Day on October 6th.
October:
Primary Games Club begins. This is a chance for the younger students in Grades 1–3 to get into the gym for fun! Activities are inclusive, provide a sense of excitement, and are always fun and engaging. e.g., speedball, TAG games, cooperative relays.
- Junior/Intermediate activities begin. These students begin team activities such as beach ball volleyball, 4-quadrant beach volleyball, Hallowe’en Relays, Crab Soccer and Speedball.
November/December:
Whole school activities (K–8) begin in anticipation of the Christmas Break. We call this the Rudolph Relays. All students are placed on a team (e.g., Icicles, Reindeer Droppings, Elves etc.) Each day of the week a different grade participates for the relays. This intramural runs until the holidays begin. The events are designed to ensure that all students can be successful and must laugh at themselves or others as they attempt to complete the challenges such as Snowshoe Shuffle, Santa Sack Relay, and Snowball Fight.
January:
The Gatorade Skintimate/Edge Shave Gel NBA 2-Ball tournament begins for grades 3–8. Students come with a partner and participate in basketball shooting challenges. Student helpers will assist in scorekeeping and equipment management.
February/March:
Whole School Winter Olympic activities: All students are placed on teams and compete in winter challenges such as Biathlon, Downhill Skiing, Luge, Curling, Ski Jump, Hockey and Figure Skating.
April:
NHL (Norton Hockey League). Students in Grades 4–8 play “regular season” and then move into “playoff season” with the Oilers, the Canadienes, the Maple Leafs, and the Flyers hockey teams, (and our Grade 8 Boys’ teams named the Cream Puffs, Butterflies, Goo Goo Dolls and Chickadees!) Teachers referee and students set up, keep score, and time the games.
Primary Games for Grades 1–3. Activities such as Quidditch, Scooter Hockey, and Low Organizational Games continue.
May:
Uncrate the Sun Whole School (K–8). All students are placed on teams and participate in Beach Ball Relay, Sand Castle Relay, Mickey and Minnie Putting, Scooter Surf, Crabwalk Kick, Scooter Swimming, Dress up Relay and Frisbee Fling. Team names are also fun i.e., Sweaty Armpits, Sandy Beach, SPF 15’s.
June:
Intermediate grade 6–8 Dodgeball. We will end the year with an opportunity to fire balls at one another! We will use the CIRA Ontario Greatest Dodgeball Activities resource to plan these games. Students will place themselves on teams and will be responsible for scores and organization of the activities.
C.H. Norton has received the CIRA Ontario’s Outstanding Intramural Award for three years running. In terms of the level of participation, both girls and boys participate equally in all grades. Over 85% of the school population participates on a regular basis and it is fair to say that during special events we can expect 95% participation. The boys and girls who take part do so with a variety of opponents and teammates. They come to cheer for others and offer their assistance in whatever capacity they can. The gym can often be a place where parents of children are invited and come to play with their sons and daughters in wacky games and activities. Our staff members who are not involved in the organizational aspect of things will also drop in to participate just for the “FUN” of it - including our administrators. Students cheer kids who arrive to play as every participant adds points to the score. This discourages “experts only” being the focus. Our students have learned that being inclusive means that all players have an equal chance to play.
There are several keys to the successful implementation of the intramural program at C.H. Norton School. The single most important contributing factor is that students enjoy being a part of the atmosphere. They look forward to the opportunity to be kids in a school where active living is encouraged and modeled by all.
Staff – having a large staff is very helpful in terms of each one of us taking on different roles to assist in the monthly activities. While one key teacher oversees the year, many hands make for lighter work.
Students – all students are given opportunities for participation as well as leadership. Students will often be seen asking staff how they can be involved in the activities. It has become a natural part of the program to see younger students with clipboards keeping score or just being there to encourage primary students as they participate in the activities.
Administration – the support of the Principal and Vice Principal is also crucial to the success of the program. Many times the two of them will be seen engaged with the students in games and this always draws excitement!
Balance of games and activities – providing a balance ensures that there is success for all students who come to participate. At times, it is important to incorporate higher skilled games such as hockey in order to elevate and showcase the strengths of some students. At other times, inclusion is the key and activities are simple and fun in order to appeal to the masses.
Organization – intramurals are much more successful when the students are included as part of teams instead of a “drop in” organization. Being part of a team gives the students the incentive to believe in the team and makes them accountable for attendance purposes. Therefore, once the activities are decided upon, staff will ensure that one key staff member receives the list of students who have an interest in participating. At this point they are all included on teams and cross-referenced by the homeroom teacher to ensure no one is left out. As well, often times points are awarded based on who shows up for the challenges so that even the lower-scoring team has an opportunity to win based on the attendance!
Promotion – our school is keen on having high profile announcements that build on the success of the activities. For example, there are weekly (or even daily) announcements that will give the rest of the school feedback on the excitement of the previous activities. When we are preparing for new house leagues, we spend a considerable amount of time having music and “guest” speakers on the PA to promote the upcoming FUN.
The biggest barrier to our program is the loss of the gym. As with all programs that are run at schools, there will be times that the gym facility is not available due to special events. Although this is minimized with schedules that we create to avoid conflicts, it is inevitable that there are times that the gym will be closed for arts or for other events that are school wide. In those cases, our program is re-scheduled and it continues when the facility if free once again. It is important to continue to value all the other things that happen at a busy school so everyone takes this in stride.
The only other barrier that we may encounter is the issue around teacher duties. As we are all responsible for specific duties during the course of the week, having a re-scheduled activity may upset the duty schedule and trade-offs are necessary in order for the games to continue. Staff members that are not involved in the planning of the intramurals will often pick up extra duties to help cover the teacher who will be in the gym. On occasion, a duty that has not been covered off will result in some activities having to be re-scheduled for another time.
We are very proud of having success with our intramural program. Each year we try to make even more improvements to benefit the students. We believe that the skills that they learn while participating in these lunch hour activities are life long learning opportunities in cooperation with others and problem solving. It is apparent that the students have bought into this belief as well – a quick “rock, paper, scissors” game will immediately decide whose turn it is or if there should be a point allotted during a game.
It is not if you win or lose, it is how you play the game…
Milena Trojanovic
C.H. Norton P.S
2120 Cleaver Avenue
Burlington, ON
L7M 3P9
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