Monroe Elementary School is building community on and off the field, thanks to an innovative idea from a dedicated group of teachers and the generous help of a community volunteer.
Last year, a cultural group of teachers at Monroe Elementary formed with a clear mission: to brainstorm ways to ensure all the diverse cultures represented in the student body are celebrated and included. One of the exciting ideas to emerge from their meetings was to introduce students to the global game of soccer, teaching them the correct rules and basic gameplay.
The initiative quickly gained momentum when community member Mr. Sean Bichsel graciously volunteered his time. Mr. Bichsel began joining students during recess to lead instructional sessions. He clearly explained the rules of the game and then acted as a coach, guiding students through practical gameplay.
The response from the students was overwhelmingly positive. "The students loved it—and now they know how to play the game correctly!" shared Mrs. Paige, building principal.
Mr. Bichsel has committed to continuing his support, planning to join the students once a week for the next few weeks to provide further coaching and encouragement.
Monroe Elementary extends its heartfelt thanks to Mr. Bichsel for volunteering his time and expertise. His dedication is helping students learn, grow, and connect through the universal language of sport, making the recess field a little more inclusive for everyone.