Athletics

A Message From Your DDW’s Physical Education Team

The Astros Physical Education program is dedicated to fostering a healthy, active, and inclusive environment for all students. Grounded in “The Williams Way,” our department promotes not only physical wellness, but also academic success, self-reflection, and purposeful goal setting. We strive to create a safe and supportive learning space where students build confidence, develop lifelong healthy habits, and grow both physically and personally.

Program Overview and Activities

The Physical Education program at DDW is designed to promote healthy active living through a diverse range of safe, distanced team and individual activities. The curriculum focuses on fun, fitness, and sportsmanship while teaching students essential decision-making and problem-solving skills. Students have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of sports and games, including:

• Field and Court Sports: Soccer, Football, Volleyball, Basketball, Baseball, and Floor Hockey
• Racquet and Target Games: Tennis, Badminton, Pickleball, Golf, and Spike ball.
• Fitness and Track: Cross Country Running, Track and Field, and general fitness routines
• Unique Activities: Tchoukball, Cricket, Frisbee, and Paddle and Scoop Ball

Student Expectations and Preparedness

To ensure safety and promote healthy habits, the school has specific requirements for participation based on grade level:

• Grades 6-8: Students are expected to bring a change of clothes (at minimum an additional t-shirt or long-sleeved top) and a clean set of indoor running shoes
• Grades 1-5: Students must wear proper indoor running shoes that can be safely secured. Parents are asked not to send children with shoelaces if the child cannot yet tie them independently.
• General Safety: For all students, crocs, sandals, open-toed shoes, and boots are strictly prohibited during PE. If a student is injured and cannot participate, a parent note must be provided to the PE teacher.

Astros Intramurals Program

Intramurals are inclusive sports and games offered during nutrition breaks for students in Grades 4–8. Activities are grade-specific, reinforce skills taught in class, and provide a fun, safe, and recreational environment where students can connect with peers. No sign-up is required—schedules are posted outside the gym and shared in morning announcements.  Intramurals are coordinated and run by teachers as well as some of our student leaders, which consists of Grade 7 and 8 leaders in the school, as well as teachers supervising during the Nutrition Breaks.  

The program runs year-round with seasonal activities such as volleyball, basketball, badminton, floor hockey, and soccer. All school Physical Education safety rules apply, including proper footwear, tied-back hair, and removal of loose jewelry.

Tournament Fundraising

Our school hosts many sports tournaments (e.g., volleyball, basketball, soccer) to encourage teamwork, and to build upon school spirit and community involvement.  Part of hosting these tournaments involves running a snack bar to keep the athletes fueled and hydrated, as well as to raise some money to buy new sports equipment and team jerseys. Each year, we request that  families of sporting teams, kindly donate some of the items we sell at the snack bar i.e., cases of Gatorade, juice boxes, nut-free snacks (i.e., granola bars, gummies) and any nut free Halloween treats they no longer need in their homes to be sold at the snack bar.  Not having to buy these items helps us to raise the money necessary to purchase these items.

Thank you for your support in helping to make our DDW Athletics Program great!!!