Co-Curricular Activities

Daniel E. Offutt III Creative Arts Classroom 

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The Southport School continues its formal art instruction classes in the Daniel E. Offutt III Creative Arts Classroom within the Arts, Music, and Movement Building. This open and flexible space allows for multi-modal learning where students can create dynamic pieces.

The visual arts are such a crucial area for our students to explore, practice, and study. I think it’s a wonderful way for children to express themselves without words, cope with their feelings, and help with their mindset. Process over product is emphasized and the journey is always more important than the final piece. The tools and skills learned in the art studio can carry over to many academic areas and executive functioning skills.

Sarah Crupi, Art Teacher   

The TSS art program encourages students to take risks when approaching new projects and tackle each assignment individually and uniquely. The goal is for the students to become more confident as they learn and recognize their abilities and strengths through an art medium.

TSS uses a materials-based curriculum to introduce students to a scope of media while including various eras, cultures, styles, and techniques. Students will complete both 2-D and 3-D pieces that build upon the skills learned in previous years. Hands-on instruction  introduces students to various art forms, from watercolors and pastels to wire sculptures and ceramics. The lessons are consistently updated each year to keep students engaged. 

Art appreciation is woven into the curriculum, where students are exposed to highly-recognizable and regarded art pieces, from famous historical masters to more contemporary artists in the local community.

FERGUSON FAMILY MUSIC & MOVEMENT CLASSROOM

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This 2022-2023 Academic Year continues with its formal music instruction classes in the Ferguson Family Music & Movement Classroom. Music class for students includes an appreciation for music, performance, movement, and creative development as part of the School's specially-designed co-curricular program.  

The creation and design of this music program is to provide a multi-sensory approach to instrumental and vocal education. Its foundation is from the collective research, knowledge, and collaboration between Music Director, Jessica Wyton, Associate Head of School for Administration, Dr. Kathleen Gallagher, and Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School specialist Dr. Jenny Zuk.

The approach is to teach the techniques learned from the field of neuromusic  with the intention to further develop cross-disciplinary connections in areas of literacy and executive function. Our instruction and environment is one of independence, adaptability, and flexibility, in order to create the best learning experiences and environment for students.

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Our research has shown that children with musical training show enhanced neural activation during phonological processing in brain regions that are typically characterized by reduced activation among children with dyslexia. These findings suggest that engagement of these brain regions through musical training may underlie the previously reported positive effects of music on reading development.

Jennifer Zuk, Ph.D., Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical Schoo 

Physical Education at The Southport School is about developing the relationship between students’ physical and mental well-being, learning to work with others, having fun, improving oneself, and above all setting and achieving new goals.

The PE program is sports-based for grades 2-8, with each unit studied in three or four-week blocks. The students are exposed to many sports, including Soccer, Basketball, Floor Hockey, Handball, Volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee, Cricket, Rugby, and Rounders. Students learn sport-specific skills and participate in lead-up games culminating in an intramural game at the end of each unit. All intramural games are viewed as a learning experience—the competition is secondary.  The aim is to encourage a lifelong love of physical activity in whatever form that may take.

Interscholastic After-School Club Sport for Cross-Country

TSS Upper School students are eligible to compete in cross-country during the fall and spring seasons with area independent schools as part of the Middle School Fairchester Athletic Association. This after-school Intercholastic Club Sport allows students to participate in XC meets in surrounding communities within Westchester and Fairfield County. This program offers TSS students an opportunity to engage in team sports actively, while gaining skills in an atmosphere that fosters a sense of achievement and self-esteem. 

This year The Southport School introduced a new co-curricular class called Mindfulness and Movement. This uniquely designed class was created to act as a second “physical education” block with an emphasis on mindfulness, stability, balance, and core development.

Mindfulness practices are incorporated into the class to help students learn to develop a stronger connection to their bodies and minds. In this class, students will learn to tune into how to positively regulate their actions and reactions for increased focus, stamina for attention, and to develop a healthier, more balanced emotional presence. Core development and sensory practices are also emphasized using approaches and strategies. Tools such as resistance bands, Bosu balls, yoga-based flow practices, and strength training are used to improve mindset, regulation, motor skills, and coordination.