Health & Physical Education Courses

Full Year– Alternate Day Cycle – 0.50 HPE Credit

0440 – Level 2

Required for grade 9 

The focus of HPE 9 is to develop student’s health and physical literacy skills and knowledge to achieve optimal levels of total wellness. Students are scheduled the first semester in Health Education and second semester in Physical Education. Students will learn how to advocate for themselves and others to keep themselves safe and free from high risk, negative behaviors. Students learn about societal norms and drug use prevention, teen sexuality and healthy relationships, mental and emotional health, and the importance of nutrition and physical activity to one’s well-being. Students utilize skills and knowledge learned in elementary and middle school to participate in activities that are of interest and will motivate them to continue to be active and healthy for life. In Physical Education, students participate in many team, individual, lifetime and recreational activities.

Full Year - Alternate Day Cycle - 0.50 HPE Credit

0480 - Level 2

Required for grade 10

Prerequisite: Health and Physical Education 9

Students enrolled in HPE 10 explore and build upon skills and knowledge learned in prior Health and Physical Education courses. Decision making and goal setting are critical skills developed in this course. Students are scheduled in Physical Education during the first semester and are required to participate in the Connecticut Physical Fitness Assessment. Students will participate in activities that utilize skills and knowledge in an assortment of traditional and non-traditional team games, individual, lifetime and recreational activities.  During the second semester, students identify their own strengths and interests by continued development of the Student Success Plan. An in depth analysis of topics include drinking, driving and drug use, sexual harassment, stress management, food production and healthy eating, and Adult/Child CPR/AED training.

Full Year, Alternate Day Cycle –PE 0.50 Credit 

0591 - Level 2

Offered for grades 11 and 12

Prerequisite: Recommended by instructor and Director’s approval required if student requests to take this course a second time.

The purpose of this course is to expose students to a wide range of possibilities for being active with the objective of individuals finding an activity they may pursue throughout life. In this course, students participate in, plan, and implement a variety of alternative environment indoor/outdoor, land and aquatic activities.

Examples of activities may include: kayaking/canoeing, snorkeling, hiking, climbing, snowshoeing, geocaching, leaf identification, archery, fly fishing, sustainable living concepts; foraging and tree tapping, and recreational games. Students develop knowledge and skills that place an emphasis on the importance of experiential education, risk management, wellness, and the value of personal choice in lifetime activities for health and enjoyment.

Full Year – Alternate Day Cycle – PE 0.50 Credit 

0581 – Level 2

Offered for grades 11 and 12 

In this course, fitness concepts and dance exploration are combined. Students learn basic steps to a wide variety of dance, such as merengue, salsa, hip hop, swing, folk dances, reggaeton, ballet, and others. This course will change year to year based on student interests and presentation topics. Emphasis in this class is placed on a shared enjoyment of dance as a lifetime activity, increasing physical activity, improving personal fitness, and building leadership and presentation skills.

Full Year -Alternate Day Cycle - 0.50 Credit 

0470 - Level 2

Offered for grades 11 and 12

In this course students will develop skills and knowledge in CPR/AED/First Aid and Safety. Students will also learn about career opportunities in Athletics and Recreation. This includes, but will not be limited to Athletic Training, Sports Management, Coaching, Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology. 

Full Year – Alternate Day Cycle – PE 0.50 Credit 

0521 - Level 2

Offered for grades 11 and 12

This high intensity course is designed for students who enjoy team-based activities to further develop an understanding of strategies related to a variety of group games. Students apply safe practices, rules, procedures, etiquette and good sportsmanship in all physical activity settings and take initiative to encourage others to do the same. Students demonstrate leadership and cooperation in order to accomplish the goals. This course also focuses on developing knowledge and skills in group games that contribute to the improvement of lifetime fitness and overall health.

Full Year - Alternate Day Cycle - PE 0.50 Credit

0531 - Level 2

Offered for grades 11 and 12

In this course, students will engage in a variety of lifelong physical activities associated with practicing healthy lifestyle choices. Activities may include but are not limited to yoga, fitness/power walking, interval training, tennis, tai chi, golf, relaxation techniques, pickleball, disc golf, water safety, and self-defense. Emphasis in this class is placed on increasing physical activity, improving personal fitness, and building leadership and presentation skills.

Full Year – Alternate Day Cycle – PE 0.50 Credit

0512 – Level 2

Offered for grades 11 and 12 

Prerequisite: Recommended by instructor and Director’s approval required

In this course student coaches will be provided unique opportunities to develop leadership skills by facilitating and assisting their peers to develop cognitive, social/emotional, and behavioral skills. Students participate in a wide variety of activities of dance, team games, individual and lifetime activities, and adventure-based experiential events. Lead up and modified games will be used to help students develop relationships and foster an appreciation and understanding of individual differences and strengths. Curriculum is designed to make the course meaningful, motivating and fun for all participants.

Full Year - Alternate Day Cycle – PE 0.50 Credit 

0540 - Level 2

Offered for grades 11 and 12

In this activity-based course, students of all abilities will be provided opportunities to learn and develop habits and attitudes that contribute to living a healthy lifestyle. Basic and advanced exercise and conditioning programs will be designed specific to individual needs to improve strength, speed, endurance, flexibility, agility and power. The wide variety of class activities will all align in improving personal wellness for any individual.

Full Year -  Alternate Day Cycle – PE 0.50 Credit

0450 - Level 2

Offered for grades 11 and 12

Students will investigate, analyze, and discuss sports related topics and issues. Students will analyze the historical and modern significance of sport in society, identify and discuss issues in youth sports, study the relationship between academics and sports, investigate discrimination and equality in sports, and explore the issues surrounding attitudes in sports.