Eastview students practice with Manhattanville University basketball player before Westchester Knicks game

Eastview Middle School sixth graders took a community-building field trip to the Westchester Knicks game today, but first they had to brush up on their basketball skills! Manhattanville University basketball players visited the school this morning and guided students through drills to prepare them for what they will see at the game.

Students heard from Manhattanville Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach Romello Ford, who introduced the athletes and discussed the activities that they would be doing. Then, students broke into groups to play a round of knockout, where they could practice their shooting and skills while learning from college basketball players. 

Each year, Eastview takes a special field trip to build community and culture, visiting places like Medieval Times in the past. Principal Leroy Dixon says they do this because they recognize that middle school is a unique time in a student’s life, and they need to have opportunities to have fun, build relationships and enjoy their school and community. 

This year’s trip also reinforced the importance of teamwork. 

“Everything is about collaboration and teamwork,” said Mr. Dixon. “So, these are the soft skills that we have to introduce to them. Everything we do right now in the world that we’re living in, it’s always about working in a team.” 

A big emphasis at the school this year is on student discussions and discussion protocols. This includes how students discuss work with one another, how they process information, how they challenge one another, and how they justify and explain ideas. Being able to work effectively in a team is vital for successful discussions.