PE & Athletic Electives
Click on the course names to view videos or slides.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION Physical Education is offered each year of high school. A student is required to take physical education two semesters and may earn a maximum of two (Class of 2013) or four credits toward graduation, including athletics. A criterion-reference fitness test is administered in all physical education classes each semester.
Foundations of Personal Fitness: (1/2 - 1 credit) This course enables students to incorporate health and physical behaviors into their lifestyles. Emphasis will be on giving students knowledge and skills in the following areas: components of physical fitness, consumer issues, biomechanical and physiological principles, safety practices, lifestyle assessment of individual fitness levels, and design of a personal fitness program.
Team Sports: (1/2 - 1 credit) Instruction and skill development are offered in a variety of team sports. This instruction is planned to meet the needs of the individual students. The emphasis will be for students to develop and demonstrate physical skills, stamina, and an interest in physical activity and overall wellness. This curriculum framework will allow every student to become a physically-educated person.
Individual Sports: (1/2 - 1 credit) Instruction and skill development are offered in a variety of individual, dual and leisure sports. This instruction is planned to meet the needs of the individual students. The emphasis will be for students to develop and demonstrate physical skills, stamina, and an interest in physical activity and overall wellness. This curriculum framework will allow every student to become a physically-educated person.
Aerobic Activities: (1/2 - 1 credit) This course is a comprehensive study of the components of aerobic fitness. Dance aerobics is an exercise that combines the rhythmic steps of aerobics with graceful dance movement. It can be broadly divided into four types high impact exercises, low impact exercises, step aerobics, and water aerobics all of which address the development of strength, endurance, flexibility, and the creation of a sense of well-being with the individual student. Dance is a natural method for learning and a powerful ally for developing the physical, emotional, social and cognitive attributes of students.
Off Campus PE: Students may also meet the physical education requirements if they participate in a district-approved Olympic caliber, off campus training program. Contact the school counselor for more information.
Air Force Junior ROTC: (1 - 4 credits) Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) is a voluntary program for motivated students. The mission of AFJROTC is to develop citizens of character dedicated to serving their nation and community. The objectives of AFJROTC are to educate and train high school cadets in citizenship, promote community service, instill responsibility, character, and self-discipline, and provide instruction in air and space fundamentals. The program is divided into three courses of instruction, Aerospace Science, Leadership Education, and Health and Wellness. Aerospace Science (AS) acquaints students with the elements of aerospace and the aerospace environment. Aerospace Science (AS) introduces them to the principles of aircraft flight and navigation, the history of aviation, development of air power, contemporary aviation, human requirements of flight, cultural and global awareness, the space environment, space programs, space technology, rocketry, propulsion, the aerospace industry, astronomy, and survival. Leadership Education (LE) develops leadership skills and acquaints students with the practical application of life skills. Leadership Education emphasizes discipline, responsibility, leadership, followership, citizenship, customs and courtesies, cadet corps activities, study habits, time management, communication skills, career opportunities, life skills, financial literacy, management skills, and drill and ceremonies. The Wellness Program objective is to motivate cadets to lead healthy, active lifestyles beyond program requirements and into their adult lives. The exercise programs are focused upon individual base line improvements with the goal of achieving a national standard as calculated by age and gender. • Grades 9-12 • Lab supplies or fee may be required. Students in AFJROTC may participate in drill competitions or performances requiring up to 8 hours of after school practice weekly
Dance I-II: (1-2 credits) (Fine Arts or PE) Dance I-II students will learn fundamental skills in these dance techniques: ballet, modern, jazz, tap, folk, character, and World Dance. In addition, course objectives will emphasize (1) creative expression through movement; (2) awareness of space, time, and energy in dance technique and improvisational studies; (3) development of self-confidence through the use of the body as an expressive instrument; and (4) appreciation of dance as an art form. Additional supplies and/or supply fees may be required.
Dance I-IV (Dance Team): (1 - 4 credits) Instructional priorities of the high school dance program include development of dance techniques, creative expression, improvisation, and appreciation of dance as an art form. Qualities of movement are also explored. These include swinging, percussion, suspension, sustained, collapsing, and vibrancy. Kinesthetic awareness and movement memory is emphasized as well. Dance techniques explored may include ballet, modern, jazz, tap, folk, character, and world dance. As students progress from Dance I to IV, more advanced techniques and skills are acquired. Placement of students in Dance I-IV (Dance Team) is determined by various criteria including a tryout. Dance Team will meet the requirement of 1 PE credit for after school participation. Rehearsal and performance requirements vary from campus to campus. Dance teams generally practice 8 hours per week before/after school from Monday to Thursday. An additional 2 to 4 hours of rehearsal is required on selected weekends. The Dance Team performs at all varsity football games including playoff games, participates in 3 to 5 spring contests, and produces a spring show. Other performance opportunities are determined by the director. • Students participating in Dance Team must have a physical on file with the Director. • Additional supplies and/or supply fees may be required.
Dance I-IV (Dance Team) is for those who tryout and make the Gold Dusters Dance Team. Tryouts for Gold Dusters occur the week before Spring Break each school year. If you would like to join the team/this course, you will need to tryout in March. More information can be found at http://www.jvgolddusters.com
Athletics : Athletics is offered each year of high school and includes choices from twenty different sports for both men and women. A student enrolled in Athletics may earn a maximum of four credits toward graduation. Athletics is an instructional model designed to provide athletes with an authentic, in-depth sport experience. It is intended to move isolated skill practice into sequential, progressive, and realistic game situations with the primary objective of developing highly competitive team members. Taking responsibility for personal and social behavior, and respecting differences among people in sport settings are all inherent within the team model. Athletes are actively engaged in the sport of choice, working on skills for game play situations under the direction of their head coach. Students are placed in athletics as the result of student performance criteria conducted in pre-season tryout sessions and ultimate recommendation from the head coach. Students elected to participate must maintain academic eligibility as mandated by the University Interscholastic League. In the school, due to the rigorous nature of assigned workouts, a current UIL medical physical is required for enrollment and participation in the class. In accordance with UIL rules, schools limit practice for in-season athletic activities to a maximum of eight hours per school week (Monday through Friday until 2:30 p.m.) per activity, in addition to a maximum of 60 minutes per school day, Monday through the end of the school day on Friday. One athletic competition may be held outside of school Monday through Thursday. After 2:30 p.m. on Friday and on Saturday, practice time and/or competitions are not limited by UIL. A schedule will be provided regularly by the coach/ school.
