WELLNESS PHILOSOPHY
The Wellness curriculum provides students the opportunity to focus on the development of their physical, mental and social well being. Many elements of social emotional learning are included at the core of our required courses. Our objectives parallel those of the CASEL Competencies Framework and our lessons provide students opportunities to demonstrate these essential life skills. Learning experiences will promote resiliency, positive attitudes and behaviors that enhance the quality of life and maximize personal potential. Students will develop the skills to think critically, communicate effectively, and make health-enhancing decisions. Through physical activities students will be able to implement a variety of personal fitness programs and demonstrate motor skill competency in lifetime activities. Medfield High School’s philosophy promotes regular physical activity as part of a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle for all.
WELLNESS OBJECTIVES:
Students will demonstrate the ability to:
Understand concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention.
Analyze the influence of family, peers, culture, media, technology, and other factors on their health behaviors. (CASEL Framework - Social Awareness)
Access valid information, products and services to enhance their health.
Effectively use interpersonal communication skills to enhance their health and reduce their health risks. (CASEL Framework - Relationship skills)
Use decision-making skills to enhance their health. (CASEL Framework - Responsible decision-making)
Use goal setting skills to enhance their health. (CASEL Framework - Self Management)
Use health-enhancing behaviors and reduce their health risks. (CASEL Framework - Self-Management)
Advocate for their personal, family and community health.
Demonstrate a degree of physical literacy enabling them to pursue a variety of healthful physical activities that can be enjoyed throughout their lifetime.
REQUIRED COURSES
Wellness 9
Course #016
Grade 9
Semester - 2.5 credits
Wellness 9 is a required course for all grade 9 students. This course will provide students the opportunity to explore wellness concepts in the health classroom as well as through physical activity. The curriculum focus will include goal setting to manage stress, strategies for developing strong interpersonal communication skills, an in depth understanding of our body systems, and a wide variety of fitness and lifetime physical activities. One semester of Wellness 9 with a passing grade is required for graduation.
Wellness 10
Course #018
Grade 10
Semester - 2.5 credits
Wellness 10 is a required course for all grade 10 students. This course will provide students with a combination of health and physical education activities built upon the foundation introduced in Wellness 9. In this course, students will analyze their personal values and external influences that lead to their decisions about their health practices. Students will take an in-depth look at nutritional choices that can improve their health, sleep, school performance, and self-confidence. In addition, students will analyze why vaping has reached epidemic proportions among young people, and what the short and long-term impacts of this phenomenon may be. Highlights of the grade 10 course include the American Heart Association First Aid and CPR course and a wide variety of fitness and lifetime physical activities. One semester of Wellness 10 with a passing grade is required for graduation.
Wellness 11
Course #024
Grade 11
Semester - 2.5
Wellness 11 is a required course for all grade 11 students. Building on skill development from Wellness 9 and 10, this course will provide students opportunities to more independently begin to explore the critical health issues they face. Students will examine current events and learn how to accurately evaluate the validity of health information, products, and services that flood today’s marketplace. There will be a strong focus on effective interpersonal communication skills as students learn to navigate more mature relationships within and outside of their families and close friend groups. In addition, students will analyze the health behaviors needed to reduce sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy in current or future intimate relationships. Through this course, students will make a positive impact as they develop and promote advocacy strategies for reducing distracted driving throughout our community. Physical activities offered through a more personalized selection process will provide upperclassmen the ability to take an active role in mapping out their wellness experience. One semester of Wellness 11 with a passing grade is required for graduation.
Wellness 12
Course #025
Grade 12
Semester - 2.5
Wellness 12 is a required course for all grade 12 students. Building on skill development from Wellness 9, 10, and 11, this course will provide students opportunities to demonstrate strategies to prevent, manage and resolve interpersonal conflicts safely. Content and skills from our former Personal Safety elective class are now accessible to all students through our Impact course. Seniors will develop skills for independent healthy meal planning and personalized exercise programming in order to reach their individual health goals. Physical activities offered through a personalized selection process will provide seniors the ability to take an active role in mapping out their wellness experience. One semester of Wellness 12 with a passing grade is required for graduation.
WELLNESS ELECTIVES
The goal of electives is to provide students with additional knowledge and skills beneficial for healthy, responsible and effective management of their lives. Courses are offered for students to pursue the allied health field, personal or group physical activities, and independent living skills. The Wellness curriculum strives to empower students with life management skills at a time when they are assuming greater responsibility for themselves and within their families and communities.
ATHLETIC TRAINING
Course #905
Grades 10-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
Students in athletic training will study anatomy and muscular physiology and will focus on orthopedic injuries. Students will gain insight into a variety of healthcare professions such as nursing, medicine, athletic training, physical therapy, speech pathology, exercise science, physician’s assistant, and more. The course will provide both an academic foundation and clinical hands-on training. Successful completion of the course will provide students an advantage when applying for college admission to an allied health program.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Course #900
Grades 9-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
This one semester course explores the physical, social, emotional, psychological and intellectual needs of children from conception through age six. Instruction includes topics such as conception, pregnancy, birth, infant care, parenting skills, daycare needs and preschool development. The course includes videos, guest speakers, a parenting simulation with a Real Care Baby®, and visits with preschool children in Medfield preschools. At the preschools, activities in the classroom and on the playground will be observed to increase an understanding of motor development and play skills. Positive techniques for interacting with children will be developed at the high school and implemented during the classes meeting at the preschools. Child Development is recommended for those students who are interested in children and/or are considering a career in early childhood education, teaching, child psychology, or health and medical professions. This course is a prerequisite for an Independent Study with Beginning Years at MHS.
CULINARY ARTS
Course #907
Grades 9 - 12
Semester - 2.5 credits
This one semester course provides an introduction to food preparation. Class activities are designed to explore various healthy snacks, breakfast, lunch and dinner foods. Basic nutrition and healthy eating habits will be discussed along with food choices, meal planning techniques, consumer education, convenience foods and related current events.
INTERNATIONAL CUISINE AND CULTURE
Course #908
Grades 9 - 12
Semester - 2.5 credits
In our increasingly diverse society it is more important than ever for students to gain an appreciation of global cultures. This one semester course offers students an opportunity to develop an understanding of ethnicities different than their own. Students will gain knowledge through their foods lab experiences preparing specialty dishes from countries throughout the world.
The following courses are graded on a Pass/Fail basis and are therefore not calculated into the GPA.
ACTIVITIES FOR LIFE
Course #040
Grades 11 - 12
Semester - 2.5 credits
This course will help you increase your energy level, reduce fatigue and improve your fitness level while having fun. Daily stress can have a negative impact on your emotional and physical health. Reduce that stress by joining us for team games and tournaments in both competitive and recreational activities. Activities For Life 11/12 can be repeated once for credit. This course is not calculated into the GPA, and is graded pass/fail.
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING
Course #035
Grades 9-12
Semester - 2.5 credits
Students in this activity class will gain knowledge within the field of exercise science and the fitness industry. Students will learn how to perform movements, develop effective coaching skills, and design training plans. Students will apply this conceptual knowledge in their daily workouts in order to benefit their own levels of health. This course will prepare students for a possible career in physical therapy, sports medicine, personal training, athletic training or strength and conditioning . This course is not calculated into the GPA, and is graded pass/fail.