Physical Education Expectations and Outline

Dear Parents/Guardians

One goal of Physical Education is to teach students the importance of being physically active, enjoying physical activity, and learning skills that will help them safely engage in a variety of activities.

The percentage of overweight youth has more than tripled in the past 25 years partially due to increased interest in sedentary activities such as television, computers, and video games. A reduction in physical activity as well as an increase in caloric intake has contributed to an obesity epidemic. Just as children and youth can learn the habit of regular physical activity, they can learn to be inactive if they are not taught skills and given opportunities to be active during their childhood. I have designed a program for children that helps them develop the physical competence that lead to confidence and participation in physical activity for a lifetime. My goal is to help children find a variety of ways to enjoy being physically active so that they will be able to get all of the physical, emotional, intellectual and social benefits that come to someone who is physically active

Your student’s grade will be based on:

- Participation. Students are expected to actively engage in physical activity and try. No one expects professional athletes, but I do expect the students to put in some effort and get out of their comfort zone. All intermediate students will have physical education daily.

- Appropriate gym attire and shoes. For your child's safety, students must wear tennis shoes during Physical Education class. These shoes should cover the toes and give adequate support to the foot and ankle. Dress shoes, cowboy boots, sandals, flip flops, clogs, Crocs, or tie up shoes that are left unlaced do not supply proper support to your child's feet and ankles. This increases the risk of injury as there is a lot of movement involved in Physical Education class. When a student does not wear tennis shoes, he or she receives a minus for the day and will not be allowed to participate in class. This will affect their grade.

- Goal setting and results tracking. Students are expected to track their fitness results and set goals. Meeting the proficiency level for skills practiced for their grade level.

- Behaviour. Students are expected to behave in a safe and respectful manner that allows peers to learn and me to teach.

· Occasionally, children try to avoid participation by telling me that they are ill or hurt. Therefore, it is my policy that unless a student has a note from a parent or doctor, he or she must participate in physical education class. If the injury is severe, such as a broken bone, I will need a note from a doctor regarding when your child can return and any restrictions he or she may have upon returning. Also, please alert me to any restrictions or serious medical conditions your child may have.

This school year I would like to invite you to visit our physical education class. You will see children participating in developmentally appropriate activities that will help increase their physical competence, self-esteem and joy of being physically active no matter what their physical abilities may be. By enhancing your children’s physical activity education, I am certain we will be able to help your children enjoy a lifetime of physical activity and good health.

If you have any questions regarding my grading policy, please feel free to speak with me.