Physical Education Program

Kazoo School addresses the physical needs of the child through its programs, and recognizes the importance of movement, exercise, social interaction, fresh air and sunshine. Kazoo School is the only school in the Kalamazoo area that includes daily physical education classes as part of its developmental curriculum.

The Physical Education (P.E.) curriculum features individual fitness as a life skill, cooperative games, and organized sports. P.E. classes are held in the large multi-purpose room, or weather permitting, outdoors on our playing field. A positive, cooperative attitude is emphasized with all activities.

Students enjoy a half-hour outdoor recess every day, except in cases of inclement weather. Elementary and middle school students share a camping experience with their basegroup during the school year. Early primary students share extended day trip experiences in the spring. Field trips, utilizing the greater SW Michigan community, are frequent and enrich units of study.

Research indicates that a child engaged in daily physical activity is more apt to be stronger academically. It is also a well-known fact that children, in general, in the United States are becoming less active, with video games and television often used as substitutes for physical activity. Childhood obesity is one of many health issues in the U.S. If children stay excited about exercising, they'll stay active. Physical education at Kazoo School uses a varied curriculum to spark and maintain that interest. Our exceptional program is designed to meet the developmental needs of all students by offering a curriculum that fosters the acquisition of physical skills, a knowledge base and an attitude conducive to lifelong physical activity.

In addition to daily programming, the middle school athletic program includes a Boys’ Basketball team and a Girls’ Volleyball team. 85-100% of middle school students participate in one of these team sports. Kazoo School middle school teams participate in a league with other non-public schools. All middle school athletic practices and home games are held in a nearby gym, located at the Kalamazoo Free Methodist Church, 931 Maple St. KFM Church is across the street from the Maple St. YMCA.

Link to 2006-07 Schedule of Kazoo School Basketball Games and Volleyball Matches

All upper school students participate in an Upper School Track Meet. Students in this age group have the opportunity to participate in the Kazoo School’s Ski Club and Golf Club. Both clubs provide students the opportunity to acquire skills and enjoy the sport.

Kazoo School’s Annual Field Day is an all day outdoor fun event for the whole school. Students work in multi-age teams, playing cooperative games throughout the day. Additional special activities also contribute to a varied and meaningful curriculum: the all school iceskating event held at WMU Lawson Ice Arena, Education for the Arts PACE program, a twice yearly collaboration with EFA's creative movement artists and Kazoo School classes, and the Winter Olympics, held every four years in conjunction with the actual Olympics. Throughout the year, special guest instructors are invited to teach Yoga, Pilates, Tae-Kwon-Do, to name a few. Children have an opportunity to try different types of physical activities and find ones that are of interest to them.

Come into a P.E. class at Kazoo School and you will find students who are engaged in a cooperative, active and positive environment, where they feel safe to explore and improve their physical abilities and are having great fun doing so!