Sabretooth visits Errick Road for 'It's More Than A Game' assembly

The Buffalo Sabres mascot, Sabretooth, recently paid a visit to Niagara-Wheatfield’s Errick Road Elementary School. The physical education teachers, Mr. Vekich and Mrs. Hayes, hosted an assembly they named “It’s More Than A Game.” The theme of the assembly was to teach the importance of having a growth mindset (positive attitude) and how playing sports and games in physical education class not only teaches students to stay active, but is an excellent vehicle for teaching and reinforcing character traits.

Also, at the assembly, a jump rope skit was performed by students from Errick Road. The jump rope skit was about how a student was struggling to learn how to jump rope, but with a good attitude and positive encouragement from his friends, he could do it. The students performed their skit to the song “Try Everything” from the Disney movie Zootopia. The students also performed with new LED jump ropes purchased by the Errick Road PTO.

The jump rope team showed a growth mindset by practicing over and over again and not giving up, even though some of the tasks were quite challenging. The group began practicing in April and practiced every day to improve their performance.  

Mr. Vekich said, “Students love physical education. There isn’t a more natural setting in school for promoting character. Students learn to take turns, be honest, and cooperate with each other while striving to reach a common goal. We also teach values such as respect, fairness, and kindness, through play activities. In school, we need to be concerned not only about what our students know and can do, but just as importantly, about who it is they will become.”