Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs
Wellness Policy: Goal 4
The District will provide daily opportunities for students to engage in physical activity by utilizing a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program.
Physical activity shall be encouraged in a school’s daily education program from grades pre-kindergarten through 12. Schools can create an environment that offers many opportunities for students to be physically active throughout the school day. A comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPSP) is the national framework for physical education and youth physical activity. A CSPAP reflects strong coordination across five components: physical education, physical activity during school, physical activity before and after school, staff involvement, and family and community engagement (CDC).
Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAP)
Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) E-Learning Module
The purpose of this module is to familiarize you with the components of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program and the process for developing, implementing, and evaluating one. After this module, you should be able to take the next steps to begin the process of developing a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program.
The course objectives are for you to:
Understand the importance and benefits of youth physical activity.
Recognize the components of a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program.
Learn the process for developing, implementing, and evaluating a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program.
CSPAP A Guide for Schools.pdfColorado Revised Statute 22-32- 136.5
The District will meet or exceed the compliance requirements of Colorado Revised Statute 22.32.136.5 concerning measures to increase physical activity in public schools.
For the purposes of the policy, “physical activity” may include but is not limited to:
Exercise programs o Fitness breaks o Recess
Field Trips that include physical activity
Classroom activities that include physical activity
Physical education classes
A minimum of 600 minutes of physical activity per month will be incorporated into the school schedule of each student attending an elementary school five days per week and the students attends all day.
A minimum of 300 minutes of physical activity per month will be incorporated into the school schedule of each student attending an elementary school five days per week and the student attends half days
Physical Education
Physical Education Instructors
All physical education instructors shall be considered in-field to teach physical education per D51 policy GCE/GCF, Licensed Staff Recruiting/Hiring
Physical Education Instruction
In general the following instructional practices shall be followed:
Elementary school students shall have a minimum of 60 minutes of quality physical education instruction per week.
Secondary students are encouraged to engage in 225 minutes of physical activity per week.
Middle school students are strongly encouraged to enroll in a quality physical education class for a minimum of one quarter per school year.
High school students shall complete 1.0 credit of physical education to meet graduation requirements.
Class size for physical education shall be comparable to class size for other academic subjects.
Instruction shall include moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least one-half of physical education class time.
Recess minutes and/or physical activity breaks shall not be substituted for physical education time.
Physical activity during physical education courses may be included when calculating physical activity in order to meet the requirements of Colorado Revised Statue 22-32-136.5.
Students shall not be removed from physical education for academic reasons.
Physical Education Curriculum
Physical education courses shall use a standard-based curriculum that meets the Colorado Physical Education Academic Standards.
Physical Activity During the School Day
ELEMENTARY students shall be provided with an average of at least 30 minutes/day, for a minimum of 600 per month, of physical activity, not including time spent in Physical Education. This time may be accumulated throughout the school day (i.e. brain breaks/boosts, walk and talk, acting out stories, etc.....)
SECONDARY: It is highly encouraged that teachers provide at least one physical activity break during academic instruction (i.e. break, breaks/boosts, walk and talk, acting out stories, etc....)
Moving between classes shall not be counted as a physical activity break.
Recess is encouraged to be scheduled before lunch periods.
Provide active and flexible seating for students that need it (i.e. standing desks, stools, exercise balls, wobble chairs, etc....)
Brain Breaks/Movement in the Classroom
Did you know:
According to the CDC: When children and adolescents participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day, multiple health benefits accrue. Regular physical activity builds healthy bones and muscles, improves muscular strength and endurance, reduces the risk for developing chronic disease risk factors, improves self-esteem, and reduces stress and anxiety. Beyond these known health effects, physical activity may also have beneficial influences on academic performance.
If you are interested in learning how to implement brain breaks successfully to improve student focus and regulation, please email ayme.zortman@d51schools.org to schedule a presentation to staff or students. Presentations take 1 hour.
Recess
The CDC defines recess as a regularly scheduled period in the school day for physical activity and play that is monitored by trained staff or volunteers. During recess, students are encouraged to be physically active and engaged with their peers in activities of their choice, at all grade levels, kindergarten through 12th grade.
Recess benefits students by:
Increasing their level of physical activity.
Improving their memory, attention, and concentration.
Helping them stay on-task in the classroom.
Reducing disruptive behavior in the classroom.
Improving their social and emotional development (e.g., learning how to share and negotiate).
***Keep Scrolling to view policy on not using recess as punishment. It is under Staff Involvement.***
Recess Before Lunch
Recess before Lunch Fact Sheet.pdfRecess Before Lunch Booklet-TN-MT-SLT_0.pdfrecess-before-lunch-toolkit (1).pdfPhysical Activity Before and After School
Schools are encouraged to offer opportunities for physical activities before and after school through organized physical activities utilizing community organizations (i.e. running clubs, jump rope clubs, workouts clubs, etc.....).
Schools are encouraged to partners with local government and community-based agencies to implement a comprehensive active transport program (i.e. Safe Routes to School Program).
All schools shall promote student access to school grounds and/or facilities before and/or after school, offering opportunities for unstructured free play and structured physical activities. Any violation of district policy to include vandalism or destruction of property may result in closure of public use of school grounds for a period of time. Outdoor facility use is subject to building administrators.
Staff Involvement
Using physical activity as punishment, or withholding physical activity/physical education time for behavior management shall be prohibited. Major incident behaviors are exempt based on building administration discretion.
Withholding physical activity/physical education time for purposes of making up student work shall be prohibited.
playwell-alternatives-to-withholding-physical-activity-as-punishment.pdfFamily and Community Involvement
D51, in conjunction with outside community partners, encourages and promotes physical activity in its buildings and outdoor spaces.
Schools are encouraged to promote physical activity at school events such as back to school events and parent/teacher conferences.
Family Fun Packs
Family Fun Packs are available for School Wellness Teams to check out for any school event to get families active! Please contact Ayme Zortman to arrange pick up.