Annual APE Field Day has officially concluded for yet another year. This year’s APE Field Day consisted of fun and games under the sun. Some activities span all the way from relay races to face painting. What is field day? Let’s take a look at the included activities and end with why it’s so loved every year by students and staff alike.
APE field day is an event hosted at Brewster High School once a year for all the special education students throughout the district. Student volunteers, returning alumni volunteers, and staff members all gather to help with the special day. On this day, life skills students throughout the district take part in activities, games, and dance parties while also getting to experience the outside and have fun on the turf.
The day begins with all the volunteers and high school students heading up to the field to help coaches set up all the different activities and events for the day. Before teams are called out on the field, there is a large group picture in the bleachers on the stadium turf. After that, it’s game time. Each school is individually called out into the middle of the turf to have a dance party with the Bears before heading to their first station. Each station is something different and as the day goes on each group experiences a different station every couple minutes.
This was the schedule for an entire day full of fun and games:
- Chalk and face painting – Students were able to get their faces painted and then got to color with some chalk to unleash their creativity.
- The fire truck – Athletes got the chance to have fun exploring the different emergency trucks plus have some fun with the hose thanks to the Brewster Fire Department.
- Relay races – Athletes took turns racing their friends to see who would be the ultimate champion.
- DANCE BREAK!! – Everyone went into the center of the circle to take a chance to do the Hokie Pokie, YMCA, and more.
- Bean bag toss – Students went through an array of different types of tossing games, testing their skills to see how much they would make into their select buckets.
- Obstacle courses – This activity allowed students to face off against friends and see who could complete the course first.
- Parachute games – Students played games and tested their teamwork skills with the parachute.
One thing to know about field day is that every year everyone finds something they enjoy the most. I was able to interview two Brewster high school students who attended field day, and I asked about their favorite parts. Brianna Roberts had a great time at field day this year. When asked about what she enjoyed, she said, “My favorite part of field day is getting to dance with my best friends.” Fun with friends is a big part of why many student athletes enjoy field day the most!
Christian Pinel, when asked about what he liked most about field day, said, “What I enjoyed the most about field day was the face paint. I got a baseball and a basketball painted on my face!” These words from Christian just go to show that at field day, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Field Day is cherished because of the connections it creates among students, staff, volunteers, and the greater Brewster community. It is more than just a day of games and activities—it is a celebration of inclusion, friendship, and community spirit.
I had the privilege of attending Field Day this year, and I can confidently say it was worth the wait. The day was filled with laughter, dance parties, and excitement from beginning to end. Every year, students and staff talk about how much they enjoy Field Day, and after experiencing it myself, I can confirm that the excitement is well-deserved.
Field Day holds a place as a day people look forward to throughout the school year. Finally, congratulations to Miss Barnes who is retiring from the special education department and who plays an integral part in making this day come together. Thank you for all the hard work you put in on a Field Day every year. Brewster will miss you!!
