WRESTLING: 

About Coach Vieni:
Coach Vieni has over 20 years of experience in teaching and coaching physical education. He loves sharing his knowledge of sports and fitness, encouraging students to stay active and develop both physical and mental strength.

How he works
Coach Vieni creates a supportive environment where students work hard, learn teamwork, and respect others. He sets high standards but ensures every student feels motivated and successful.

Experience:
As a former athlete, Coach Vieni specializes in wrestling and teaches students the importance of hard work and discipline.

Season and Schedule:

• Season: Fall, with six competitions throughout the season.
• Practices: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:20 PM – 4:00 PM at the Rafael Hernandez Dual Language School gym (left side).
• Games: Weekends or Fridays, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM, at the school gym or other schools.

Goals:
Coach Vieni helps students enjoy sports, set goals, and develop skills they can use in and out of the game. He encourages hard work, discipline, and respect for others.

Personal Life:
Outside of teaching, Coach Vieni enjoys spending time with his family and values a balance between work and life.

Coach Vieni’s passion for teaching sports makes him an inspiring person at P.S./I.S. 218.

BRONX LACROSSE:

Bronx Lacrosse, a non-profit organization,  came to PS.IS 218 in 2017 with a mission to improve educational opportunities and life outcomes for our middle school students.  Coach Cole and Coach Asa, who work with us now help support the community boys and girls with their lacrosse skills and academics. Tryouts for the program occur middle to late September. The criteria for joining the team is good attitude, good effort and good ability. In that order.

Rules and Requirements: 

First, having fun. Having fun is what Bronx lacrosse promotes a lot; they want to make sure their players are enjoying themselves. 

Second, If a student has below a 85 on his/her grade average they will be put on academic probation, anything below a 70 makes them academically ineligible which means they will not be able to play lacrosse until they get their grades up.

Opportunities:
The opportunities provided are, Lacrosse, Algebra Readiness Tutoring, High School Application Support, College Access, Mentorship and Social-Emotional Learning, and Summer Camp.

Schedules: 

Mondays and Wednesdays practice at Mullaly Park from 3:30 pm  to 5:30 pm. Tuesdays and Thursdays are tutoring here at PS.IS 218 in room 317 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The special schedules are Fridays, there is practice for a selection of players at 1481 Shakespeare Ave from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm. The 8th graders start regents prep if they have mastered all the skills they teach in tutoring.

Scholarship:

Bronx Lacrosse provides scholarships for players that have proven they are committed to not only the program but their academics.. They receive a scholarship to Cardinal Hayes, a private high school that has different sports to choose for and good opportunities. Bronx Lacrosse receives scholarships to enroll in the school from Student Sponsor Partners. The scholarship covers about 80% of the original price to get into Cardinal Hayes.

Summer Camp:

During the summer they have a lot of activities planned for players who were with them all year. One of these activities is our annual Adirondacks trip. Every year they go upstate for 4 days, 3 nights to practice lacrosse and a lot of other activities. One of the activities is swimming. They promote players to have fun while in the pool and in the river (where they have life vests). Overall Bronx Lacrosse is not only a team but a family, a community. They have a lot of activities that prepare students for life.

For more information, see https://bronxlacrosse.org/

BASKETBALL (Ian’s Basketball Journey)

Ian had met every Monday and Wednesday at Whedco Middle School’s gym with his teammates to practice. It wasn’t routine; it was a commitment. The team would instantly start stretching to prevent injuries as soon as they arrived at the gym. Ian stretched, trying to loosen his muscles, in preparation for keeping up with the other players.

The first drill was always the same: full-speed sprints. Four times up and down the court, no breaks. Ian’s legs burned, but he pushed through, knowing this was just the beginning. After the sprints, they moved on to warm-up drills: layup lines, shooting practice, and passing. Ian worked on his form, aiming for precision with every shot and pass.

Then came the scrimmages, real game-like action. Ian loved the intensity, the fast pace, the sound of sneakers on the court, and coaches shouting instructions. It was the best way to put everything they had worked on into practice.

Following each session, Coach Simmons would gather his team together for a “team in” huddle. “We win together, and we lose together,” he’d say. Ian felt the sense of camaraderie go through the roof. They weren’t just teammates, they were a unit working towards the same goal.

In order to be in the Whedco basketball team, one needed to try out for it, be on their best behavior, and have a 70 average or higher in school. Ian balanced his time between practices and homework, making sure he stayed on top of his grades.

The first big game was on December 15, 2024, against Booker T. Washington Middle School. As the day approached, Ian felt the excitement and pressure, but he was ready. A few weeks later, on January 20, 2024, they would go against another opponent, an unknown team, and Ian knew that the competition would only get tougher.

Every practice brought him a little closer to the player he wanted to be, a little closer to the game which would test everything he ever worked for with each sprint, each drill, or each shot.

TRACK/BRONX BURNERS:

The Track Team at PS/IS 218 is a fun and supportive program for kids who want to get stronger, faster, and healthier. It meets every Wednesday at 7 pm at the track next to Yankee Stadium. All year long, everyone is invited to come and workout. If you are over the age of 18 and stay committed they might invite you to join them on a marathon. The team is led by Jamie, a Whedco Supervisor and the club organizer, helps kids improve their stamina, speed, and agility. The Track Team goes on marathons with some of their instructors and the kids who are most dedicated to the program.

Mission and Goals:

The Track Team’s mission is to “build a stronger Bronx community” by giving kids opportunities in sports, health, and education. The program helps kids grow in many ways:

• Physical Health: Training to improve fitness, speed, and endurance.
• Academic Growth: Encouraging kids to set goals and work hard in school.
• Social Skills: Teaching teamwork, leadership, and discipline.

Impact:

The program also helps high school seniors who have been dedicated to the team. Some seniors receive scholarships to help pay for college ($3,000). Recently, one senior even got a $10,000 scholarship. These awards show how the program supports both athletic and academic success.

Building Community:

The Track Team is a place where kids can make new friends, work hard, and feel proud of their achievements. By working together, they are not just becoming better athletes but also building a stronger community.