Pride Intramurals

In 2nd semester we are focusing less on i-Ready and more on PRIDE clubs, sports, and other recreational activities. One of these new clubs is great for TMS’s kids’ physical health. This group is intramurals, a large number of kids who gather together in PRIDE in the usual P.E. area for lighthearted games in a variety of different sports. Mrs. Jenkins is one of the main staff supervising and making sure kids have loads of fun, let’s take a look at what she thinks about the new class.

Interview with Mrs. Jenkins

What are Intramurals?

“Intramurals are organized sports. When they are out there, they get to choose a sport they want to play for three weeks and the teachers facilitate organizing the teams, setting up the tournaments, and having championship games.”

Can kids play multiple types of sports throughout the year?

“Yes. For three weeks, they have to pick a sport and stay at that sport. Then we let them have the opportunity to switch. However, they don’t have to. If they have played pickleball for three weeks, they can still choose to stay in pickleball, or they can choose to go do, let’s say soccer or basketball, but they don’t have to. It’s whatever sport they want to play. It’s really student-led.”

How do you feel about the switch from I-ready to physical activities?

“I think it’s great. I think a lot of students felt like they weren’t getting anything out of i-Ready. Even though it’s a good program, most of the students just want to go outside and play.”

Are there any differences between your old PRIDE P.E. and this new program?

“Before, I had a few more things I could do in PRIDE P.E., like tennis club. We had to get rid of that which is sad, but we have also found a lot of sports for these students to participate in. More movement and physical activity is going on. I think it’s better.”

How do you see this change affect the students’ mood and performance skills?

“I think it’s great. They are all so happy out here. I think the hard part is that we don’t have unlimited space. A lot of students on the waiting list are really bummed out that they don’t get a chance to be out here. So I think that the hardest part is students are disappointed that they don’t get to have that

What is the main goal of intramurals for kids in TMS?

“I think the main goal is to give the students more opportunity to do something that they love, that they can excel at. Students that tested out of i-Ready or didn’t get anything out of it, they are then getting something out of intramurals.”

Now that we have the more professional side of Intramurals, let’s see what the kids’ perspective is!

What is your favorite sport or activity that you did in PRIDE?

Pickleball Champions Hudson Douvas (left) and Gus Nolasco (right)

“Pickleball.” (Hudson Douvas 8th and Gus Nolasco 7th)

“My favorite sport is soccer because it’s just fun and I get to be on teams with my friends.” (Zoey Goodrich 6th)

What do you like most about outdoor intramurals?

Lily Dunn (left) and Brooklyn Gonzalez (right)

“I like how we’re not cooped up in a classroom anymore and we get more outside or exercise time.” (Brooklyn Gonzalez 6th) 

“I like that it’s pretty fun and we get to play a sport that we get to choose.” (Lily Dunn 6th) 

What have you improved on most in this PRIDE class?

Guadalupe Cruz (left) and Jackson Cross (right)

“I think I have improved on a lot of sports they have here that I never really played before.” (Guadalupe Cruz 7th)

“I think I’ve improved on teamwork and communication.” (Jackson Cross 7th) 

As you can see, this new strength acquired in TMS has a huge effect on kids’ mood. This shows that intramurals are an excellent part of the new switch from i-Ready. What do you think about this new feature in PRIDE? What is your favorite sport? Comment down below!