“Field Day” is a beloved tradition in elementary schools across the country, a time to get outside for physical activity, friendly competition, and spring celebration, often with family volunteers on hand. At Eastern Mennonite Elementary School, it is a time when 8th grade students help out and implement the event while 6, 7 and 9-12th grade students volunteer in the community.

This year, thanks to COVID-19, Field Day will take place at home, reports Kendal Bauman, EMES PE teacher in a video announcement to students.

Bauman created the plan using resources from OPEN (Online Physical Education Network), a national public service organization that provides curriculum and training support to more than 90,000 physical education teachers in all 50 states.

“All National Field Day events are designed to be done indoors or outdoors using common household items,” Bauman reports. “You won’t need any specialized equipment or supplies.”

The official National Field Day was May 8, but schools can do it when it fits their program. EMES is holding their May 11-15. The organization had a virtual torch relay across the United States and additional “opening ceremony” events that Bauman will share with EMES students during the week. See is the EMES opening torch video.

The EMES students will be invited to do two to three events per day. There are 20 events in total and two relays. Families can, of course, adjust as fits their particular needs. The students will set up the event, practice if they want, and do the event. They will share their best score on the official online scorecard, and share pictures and videos with their teachers via the school’s Google folder.

“It’s not the same as being together with our eighth graders running and playing with us,” says Bauman. But, it’s the best we can do in these times and I’m excited to see how our students engage.”