Gym City Returns to WOS

Welcome to Gym City, the safest city in the U.S.A.!

Back by popular demand, Gym City returned to William O. Schaefer Elementary School this year. For those who may not remember or have never been a part of, Gym City is a beloved tradition that began in the 1960s, created by former physical education teacher, Mr. Jackson and kept alive by Coach Hudson. After many years of building, rebuilding, and lots of imagination, it was retired in 2019. But thanks to our students, who insisted it was too special to stay gone, it was brought back with the help of WOS administrators, staff and WOS Technology teacher Randi Nerkizian and Instructional Library Media Specialist Coach Patty Eyer.

“After several years away, Gym City- one of our most beloved traditions returned this year, bringing excitement and cherished memories back to our school community!  For generations of graduating seniors, this event was a highlight of their elementary school experience, and this year our graduating seniors had the special opportunity to revisit it during the annual clap-out before graduation,” explained WOS Principal Sheila Beglin. “Seeing former students reconnect with a treasured part of their childhood made the event even more meaningful for our entire school community as well as having Coach Bob Hudson present to send them off. Coach Hudson retired several years ago but was a large part of the treasured memories of Gym City!”

WOS students, staff and even families have spent the last several weeks designing and building houses, businesses and vehicles that would make up a city. Once the city was complete, students had the opportunity during each PE class last week to tour the city on scooters.

“I want to thank Randi Nerkizian our technology teacher and Patti Eyer our Instructional Coach for guiding all our WOS students through the Engineering and Design Process to help identify an important need in a city or community and then to design and build their building using cardboard. This was an incredible project that resulted in a wonderful experience and memory for our students. I would also like to thank our PE teachers and Robin Courtwright, our Enrichment Teacher for overseeing the Monthly Challenge where students were asked to design vehicles to be a part of our city,” noted Beglin.