Baldwin Lower School Students Celebrate Winter Olympics in PE Class

There is something truly special about the way the Olympics bring people from around the world together to celebrate what is possible through dedication, teamwork, and heart. Last week, our Lower School students experienced that spirit firsthand during a Winter Olympics–themed unit in Physical Education, inspired by the current Milano Cortina Games.

From the moment each class began with an opening ceremony and torch relay, the energy in the gym was electric. Students proudly carried the “torch,” cheered for one another, and embraced the excitement of representing their teams. The celebration concluded with a special medal ceremony, honoring the effort and enthusiasm of every participant.

 

Throughout the week, the girls rotated through a series of creative, Olympics-inspired events. On the first day, students took part in a lively “biathlon” experience. Pre-K - Grade 2 students ran laps in the gym and tossed beanbags into floor hoops for their targets, while Grades 3 - 5 students ran laps on the indoor track and then stopped at target stations where they attempted cornhole shots or beanbag tosses at a bowling pin - all while lying on their bellies, just like real biathletes. The challenge combined endurance, focus, and plenty of laughter.

 

In the “bobsled” event, teams of four worked together to navigate a course using bobsleds crafted from PE scooters and folding mats. Two students rode while two teammates pushed, reinforcing the importance of teamwork and coordination. The curling station was equally popular, as students pushed scooter “stones” topped with deck rings toward a target mat, earning points when the ring slid off and landed on the mat.

 

Day two brought even more action. For short track speed skating and figure skating, students stood on pinnies and slid around cones set up on the gym floor, with a central “rink” area for practicing spins and balances. The ice hockey station featured indoor sticks, soft foam balls, and goals, where students practiced shooting and dribbling through cones. At the luge and skeleton course, students rode scooters through a cone-lined track — either seated and propelling themselves with their arms or lying on their bellies to simulate the real events.

 

To make the experience even more authentic, live Olympic curling and downhill skiing events were broadcast on the big screen while students participated in their own games.

 

In addition to last week’s Olympics classroom activities, our PE faculty recently led a special Lower School assembly in honor of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Students learned about inspiring female Olympians and celebrated Baldwin girls who participate in winter sports of their own. The assembly also included a fun, whole-group “exercise class” where students practiced movements used by winter athletes, such as side-to-side slalom motions, powerful jumps, and even burpees inspired by luge and skeleton. The girls loved moving together and experiencing the athletic skills behind these exciting sports.

 

The athletics celebration will continue this week as students take part in our annual Jump Rope for Heart event. Through a series of jump rope challenges, girls will demonstrate endurance, coordination, and heart-healthy habits while having fun together.

 

What made this stretch of PE activities especially meaningful was watching our girls step into the role of athletes — taking risks, supporting teammates, and celebrating one another’s successes. In an all-girls environment like Baldwin, experiences in sports build lifelong fitness skills, confidence, resilience, leadership, and a strong sense of belonging. When young girls have the opportunity to try new events, cheer each other on, and view themselves as strong, capable competitors, they see that sports — and the confidence built through movement, teamwork, and perseverance — are for them.

 

We are so grateful to our PE teachers for bringing such creativity and energy to these indoor winter weather days. Their thoughtful planning turned the gym into a winter sports arena and gave our students a joyful, memorable way to experience the spirit of the Olympic Games.