DePaul’s DIBS Visits Gym Class

Lower School students got an introduction to basketball skills when DePaul’s mascot DIBS joined them in class.

Physical Education teachers want to introduce their JK through 1st grade students to basketball skills in an exciting and energized environment. To make this happen, they set up a series of stations in the Big Gym for students to cycle through during class, which focus on dribbling, shooting, passing and exercise training.

These exploration stations allow students to build ball handling confidence at their own pace, and peer teaching, encouragement and passion for movement are the teacher’s progressive objectives for the day.

To make this experience extra-special, P.E. teachers invited DePaul’s mascot DIBS (Demon In a Blue Suit) to Parker to cheer on the students as they engaged in these activities—the same way the mascot cheers for collegiate athletes at DePaul.

The person wearing the mascot outfit is a physical education student at DePaul named Sophie Pinay. Pinay has visited Parker previously to assist with Upper School P.E. classes as part of her student teaching work and is one of the four individuals who suits up throughout the year as the DIBS mascot for DePaul athletics events.

Teacher Kara Turpin said, “DIBS enhanced the energy and enthusiasm around our basketball stations. The students were excited to interact with DIBS and participate in each of the basketball skill stations.”

Enjoy the photos from the experience here.