NMS Morning Program Kicks, Throws,

And Runs Students Into Gear

By Eliza Hallabeck

By 6:40 am on Tuesday, November 9, a few students were roaming the gymnasium at Newtown Middle School, ready for the morning’s Zero Hour Physical Education course.

Just ten minutes later, nearly 20 students were tossing a football around the gym with NMS physical education teacher Matthew Memoli.

The Zero Hour Physical Education program had its first run-through during the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) administration last school year, and was a product of Mr Memoli wanting students to be prepared for the test. At the time, Mr Memoli told The Bee there was a noticeable difference in student preparedness for the test.

This year’s program started on Wednesday, November 3, and will run through December 22, until starting again in March for the next administration of the CMTs.

Seventh grader Tim Pritchett was one of the first students at the program on Tuesday, and said he has been attending the course every day since it started.

“It’s a lot of fun,” he said, while waiting for his fellow students to change into gym-appropriate attire, “and I am glad I got in it.”

All the sports played the half-hour program are fun, he said, and, “one of the big things is Mr Memoli is the best.”

After the program finishes up in the morning, students, and Mr Memoli, head down to the school’s cafeteria to grab breakfast before the school day starts.

“Whenever I come here in the morning,” said seventh grader Matt Meyers, “I can actually remember what happened first period, and I am awake and able instead of asleep.”

Matt said he did not actually fall asleep during class before attending the program, but being physically active in the morning has helped him be less groggy for the start of the school day and throughout the day.

The Zero Hour Physical Education course runs Monday through Friday, and Mr Memoli said he wanted to start the program to give the students an opportunity to start mornings with exercise.

“Being able to just get up and be moving around helps them get up and get the morning started,” said Mr Memoli, before grabbing a football for the morning’s activity.

Mr Memoli also said students are noticeably more talkative after attending the program. He has always been able to get up and start his day, he said, and hopes the program will also help instill that ability in the students.

Seventh grader Austin LeBlanc said the program helps him work on his skills, like football.

“Now you are more awake,” he said. “You are more able to listen to the teachers.”

Like other students at the program on Tuesday, Austin said he heard about the morning course during his physical education class. Austin said he was one of the first to have the permission form signed and turned in.

“We’re all friends here,” said Tim, before joining Austin, Mr Memoli, and the other students in attendance for the morning’s activity.