Last Updated: January 2023

Mount Desert Island High School shares the natural concern of parents for the health and well-being of their children. The health curriculum emphasizes the importance of developing healthy attitudes and skills to maintain total wellness. Current information will be provided to increase the students’ knowledge base. Discussions will focus on developing skills needed to have healthy, safe relationships with peers, partners and family. Students will focus on the essential question: What should I do to ensure my total wellness?

Physical fitness is a life-long pursuit that is especially necessary in today's busy, stressful world. Through participation in physical education classes, students will gain factual knowledge about the importance of fitness and the basic skills of many lifetime sports/activities. They will also develop an understanding of the importance of teamwork, fair play and acceptance of others. Participation in class is a major component of a student’s grade. Students will focus on the following essential question: How can I maintain or improve my level of skills and physical fitness?

Quarter-long Classes

WELLNESS

Grade 9

0.5 credit

Students in this required class for graduation will be presented with the basic concepts in the following content areas: Develop awareness of school and community resources in areas of personal health and safety and have the skills to access them. Have the knowledge to make healthy food choices and understand the relationship between health and nutrition. Have the knowledge and skills to reduce risks. Understand the basic concepts of human growth and development, sexuality, and family life. Have comprehensive knowledge of chemical substances, their use and misuse, and the health, societal, and legal implications. Develop awareness of their personal values, needs, wants, feelings, and opinions, and learn appropriate ways of communicating and resolving conflicts. Have the skills for healthy decision making, problem solving, and stress management. Understand the impact of personal attitudes and behaviors on the health and well being of themselves and others.

P.E. GAMES - NEW!

Grade 9, 10, 11, 12

0.5 credit

This course will focus on getting the student moving in a variety of popular games and sports. Students will learn rules, skills, and etiquette in each unit. Games may include: Speed-ball, Nitro-ball, Tchouk-ball, Archery, Floor-ball, and Frisbee Games. Class size is limited to twenty students.

LIFETIME ACTIVITIES

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

0.5 credit

This course will be offered Terms 1 and 4 only. Students will learn basic skills, rules and etiquette of archery, golf, tennis, badminton, pickle ball and recreational games. Students will focus on the following essential question: How will I maintain or improve my skill and fitness level? Class size is limited to twelve students.

WEIGHT TRAINING

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

0.5 credit

In this class students will learn the health benefits of weight training and cardiovascular activities while developing a workout regimen and keeping a log of their progress. Students will focus on the essential question: How will I maintain or improve my level of fitness? Class size is limited to sixteen students.

P.E. OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

0.5 credit

The main focus for this class will be student participation in a wide variety of outdoor physical activities, with a focus on activities available to students in or around the Mount Desert Island Area. Activities vary depending on the season but may include: canoeing, rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, swimming, and other physical activities while on or off campus. Students will focus on the essential question: How will I improve my level of skills and fitness while participating in activities outdoors? Students should be prepared to leave campus on any given day. Class size is limited to twelve students.

TEAM SPORTS

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

0.5 credit

The main focus for this class will be student participation in a wide variety of team sports, such as: basketball, volleyball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, flag football and softball. Basic skills, rules and strategies will be covered. Students will focus on the essential question: How will I improve my level of skills and fitness? Class size is limited to twenty-five students.

ADAPTED PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

0.5 credit

Prerequisites: Permission to enroll by the IEP Team

Adapted Physical Education is a course for students with permanent or temporary challenges of a physical, mental, or emotional nature that are unable to have all their educational needs met in a regular physical education program. In addition to the overall goals of improving and maintaining fitness, and developing lifetime activity skills, each student will participate in activities related to specific goals and objectives related to his/her individual need as determined by the Individualized Education Plan Team. Students are assessed and identified by the IEP Team for Adapted Physical Education.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ACTIVITIES

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

0.5 credit

A great combination class consisting of community service and physical activity. In this class students spend some days engaging in community service which may include: working at the food bank, Open Table, Friends of Acadia, Acadia National Park and other organizations. Other days students are engaging in physical activity that may include: team games in the gym, hiking, outdoor activities, and/or the weight room. Students who enjoy being active in the community, helping others, and having a variety of experiences throughout the week will enjoy this class. Students may apply community service hours from class to their community service graduation requirement. Class size is limited to twelve students.

YOGA AND MINDFULNESS

Grades 9, 10, 11, 12

0.5 credit

Over the course of nine weeks students will be introduced to the philosophy of yoga and will engage in the overarching practice of mindfulness. Students will learn the foundations of the physical practice of yoga, explore specific breathing methods, and discover the physical and mental benefits of these exercises. Daily practice and reflection are essential to and at the center of this course.