![Slipping and Sliding: The 2023 HIS Skate Days!]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1702709155/hisacjp/kwjmq4yktm9fv8etq4jt/1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1702709155/hisacjp/kwjmq4yktm9fv8etq4jt/1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1702709155/hisacjp/kwjmq4yktm9fv8etq4jt/1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1702709155/hisacjp/kwjmq4yktm9fv8etq4jt/1.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1702709155/hisacjp/kwjmq4yktm9fv8etq4jt/1.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1702709155/hisacjp/kwjmq4yktm9fv8etq4jt/1.png","width":2200}])
- Huskies Athletics
- Huskies Wellness
- Student-Centered Learning
Throughout November, Huskies from EY all the way up to 12th Grade went ice skating at Tsukisamu Arena!
"Being a school in Hokkaido, where winter sports make up such an important part of our culture, I wanted to give our P.E. students the opportunity to practice another prominent winter sport." -Mr. Rankin
Slipping and Sliding: The 2023 HIS Skate Days
During November, our HIS Huskies from EY all the way to 12th grade went ice skating at Tsukisamu Ice Arena. This event was offered to all elementary students and Physical Education (P.E.) class students in secondary. Throughout the skate days, we saw many smiles and laughs from all grade levels as they stumbled around the ice arena. For many, it was their first time skating!
Mr. Rankin with Middle School students
Interview with Mr. Rankin
the Athletics Director and organizer of the HIS Skate Days
What was your initial goal for the skate days?
“Being a school in Hokkaido, where winter sports make up such an important part of our culture, I wanted to give our P.E. students the opportunity to practice another prominent winter sport. We already have class trips for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and skiing/snowboarding, so bringing in ice skating just seemed like a natural fit. It's always neat to explain to students that the ice they are skating on at Tsukisamu Gymnasium is the same arena where ice hockey was played during the 1972 Sapporo Olympics!”
How do you think it went?
“We were safe, we were kind, we worked hard, and we had a lot of fun, so I would say it was a success this year. I was really impressed by how much progress everyone made over their two skating sessions. We might have some future Olympians in figure skating, speed skating, or ice hockey here at HIS!”
What are your future plans for HIS Skate Days?
“I would love to continue this tradition of going ice skating in the second quarter each year as part of the P.E. program. A student growing up in our school would be able to go skating over 20 times during the course of their education here at HIS. I think that's pretty cool. Hopefully, these sessions inspire our students to take up more winter sports and become more active in their free time.”
Anything else?
“I was disappointed that none of the High School students wanted to race me this year. Perhaps I scared everyone away last year with my blazing speed in the race against Theodore "Teddy Roosevelt" Brennan.”
“Without the support of our office staff, homeroom teachers, and parents, these types of events just couldn't happen. The P.E. Department is very grateful for everyone's enthusiastic support! Go Huskies!!”
The End and a New Beginning
The HIS Skate Days ended in November. However, the Skate Days served as a pivoting point for us as we shift our Green & White Plan from the Green Season to the emerging White Season! Have a good winter break, and see you in the White Season!
Read more about this year’s Green Season of the Green & White Plan here!
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