(INCLUDES ATHLETICS, RHYTHM & MOVEMENT, AND HEALTH)

According to Senate Bill 530: Physical Activity Requirements for Public School Students, “…students in grades six through eight will be required to participate in daily physical activity for at least 30 minutes for at least four semesters during those grade levels.”

Participants will develop fundamental skills as well as learn strategies, rules, and procedures used for each sports activity. Transportation by the parent will be required to accommodate before or after school hours for practice time. The district will provide transportation for competitions only.   All participants must have a yearly physical exam completed on the UIL form. Students may be required to try out for participation in athletic classes. Participants must pass all courses to be eligible for competitions. 

Physical Education 6 

Course: 0834

Grade 6

Health is designed to provide sixth-grade students with information about themselves physically, mentally and socially. The content explores relationships with self, peers, and family members. Specific units of study include information on puberty, nutrition, fitness, safety and first aid, diseases, grooming and hygiene, and drugs/alcohol.
This class will be taught in conjunction with 6th grade physical education or dance-based PE course.

The physical education program will involve team sports, lifetime sports, and fitness workouts. Activities will include basketball, cardiovascular conditioning, disc golf, dodgeball, fitness testing, kickball, muscular fitness, orienteering, soccer, softball, tennis, touch football, track and field, and volleyball. The students will be evaluated using the Fitnessgram test to help them take ownership of their individual fitness levels.  The class will help the student learn goal setting and the importance of good sportsmanship.  All instruction will be given in a co-educational setting. Students will be required to suit up every day in proper attire and participate to the best of their abilities.

Pre-Athletics 6 - Girls/Boys

Course: 0835/0836

Grade: 6

This class is designed for male and female students who have played competitive team or individual sports, or are wanting to participate in athletics at the middle school level starting in 7th grade. Overview: The purpose of 6th Grade Pre-Athletics is to prepare students for the expectations of 7th Grade Athletics and the fundamental skills for sports offered in LTSD Athletics. 

The 4 focus areas of this course are: 

1. Role of a Student-Athlete (academics, teamwork, character, competitor)

2. Fundamentals of Lifting Weights 

3. Speed, Agility, Balance, Stamina, Flexibility 

4. Sport-specific movements, fundamentals, and schemes 

Students participating in Pre-Athletics must recognize that the workouts will build up to, and then be comparable to the workouts we give to our 7th and 8th grade student-athletes. The physical demands are greater than Physical Education, and the expectation is to give your best every day.  Coaches expect students to work hard, have a positive attitude, and have fun.

Rhythm & Movement - 6 & 7

Course: 0816/0817

Grades 6, 7

*Students in Grade 8 may take Dance 8 as a Fine Arts Elective

Rhythm and Movement is a beginner to intermediate course that explores characteristics and movements of various dance techniques including ballet, jazz, tap and contemporary dance while participating in PE and fitness activities. 6th grade students will be able to understand the basic components of health and fitness while living a healthy lifestyle. Students will also explore rhythmical and creative movement with performance opportunities for 7th grade only. This class will fulfill the physical education requirements for both 6th and 7th grade. A dance uniform is required and may be purchased through the teacher. The cost of the uniform will not exceed $85.00. To those who qualify, financial assistance is available through the counseling office.

Physical Education 7/8

Course: 0830/0831

Grades 7, 8

The physical education program will involve team sports, lifetime sports, and fitness workouts. Activities will include basketball, cardiovascular conditioning, disc golf, dodgeball, fitness testing, kickball, muscular fitness, orienteering, soccer, softball, tennis, touch football, track and field, and volleyball. The students will be evaluated using the Fitnessgram test to help them take ownership of their individual fitness levels.  The class will help the student learn goal setting and the importance of good sportsmanship.  All instruction will be given in a co-educational setting. Students will be required to suit up every day in proper attire and participate to the best of their abilities.

A P.E. uniform is required and can be purchased from the P.E. teacher.  The cost of the uniform will not exceed $25.

• To those who qualify, financial assistance is available through the counseling office.

Athletics - Girls

Course: 0845/0850

Grades 7, 8

7th and 8th-grade athletics is a year-round competitive program in which team members compete against other schools for district titles. Team members must participate in class daily as well as additional practices. During the first semester, UIL volleyball, cross country, and basketball will be offered. During the second semester, UIL basketball, track, soccer, golf, and tennis will be offered. Cross country, soccer, golf, and tennis will be held after school and do not necessarily require enrollment in athletics. Those students not participating in an in-season sport will be required to participate in a rigorous off-season conditioning program that involves weight training, agility drills, and cardiovascular work (running). A yearly U.I.L. physical form must be completed and on file in the coach's office prior to any student participation in athletics. Practice uniform is required and must be purchased from the athletic office. The cost of the uniform will not exceed $75. To those who qualify, financial assistance is available, through the counseling office.

Athletics - Boys

Course: 0855/0860

Grades 7, 8

7th and 8th-grade athletics is a year-round competitive program in which team members compete against other schools for district titles. Team members must participate in class daily as well as additional practices. During the first semester, UIL football, cross country, and basketball will be offered. During the second semester, UIL basketball, track, soccer, golf, and tennis will be offered. Cross country, soccer, golf, and tennis will be held after school and do not necessarily require enrollment in athletics. Those students not participating in an in-season sport will be required to participate in a rigorous off-season conditioning program that involves weight training, agility drills, and cardiovascular work (running). A yearly U.I.L. physical form must be completed and on file in the coach's office prior to any student participation in athletics. Practice uniform is required and must be purchased from the athletic office. The cost of the uniform will not exceed $75. To those who qualify, financial assistance is available through the counseling office.

Football (Coed) 

Football is a no cut sport. Football athletes compete on 7th and 8th grade teams. 7th and 8th grade practices are held before or after school and during the athletic period. Games are usually played on Monday and Tuesday afternoons. (August– November) 

Volleyball (Female) 

Volleyball tryouts occur the 1st week of school. Volleyball athletes compete on 7th and 8th grade teams. 7th grade practices are held before school and during 1st period athletics, and 8th grade practices are held during the athletic period and after school. Practice times are dependant by campus. Games are usually played on Thursdays after school. The schedule includes Saturday tournaments. (Augustr - October) 

Cross-Country (Male & Female) 

Cross Country is a no-cut sport. Cross Country athletes compete on gender-specific 7th and 8th grade teams. Practices are before and/or after school. Meets are held on Wednesdays after school or Saturday. Races are two miles long for both boys and girls. Athletes will learn to run between two and six miles a day. (September - October) 

Basketball (Male & Female) 

Basketball tryouts occur in late October. Basketball athletes compete on gender-specific 7th and 8th grade teams. Most games are played on Wednesdays; however, tournaments are scheduled for evenings and Saturdays. 7th grade practices are held before school and during 1st period athletics, and 8th grade practices are held during the athletic period and after school.  Practice times are dependent upon campus(November – Janurary) 

Golf (Male & Female) 

Golf is an after school sport, one does not have to be in the athletics period to participate but they must have a physical and proper athletic paperwork turned in before competing. Athletes compete on a gender-specific 8th and 7th grade mixed team. Golf tryouts occur in March. Athletes must pass a written rules test and skills test to compete.  Competitions take place on Mondays. (March - May) 

Track and Field (Male & Female) 

Track is a no cut sport. Track athletes compete on gender-specific 7th and 8th grade teams. Practices are before and/or after school. Enrollment in the athletic course is not required to participate in this sport. (February – March) 

Soccer (Male & Female) 

Soccer tryouts occur in March. The soccer teams consist of separate gender-specific teams, A and B, composed of a combination of 7th and 8th grade students. Practice occurs before and/or after school. Enrollment in the athletic course is not required to participate in this sport. (March – May) 

Off-Campus Physical Education Waivers can be found at

https://www.ltisdschools.org/families/off-campus-physical-education-ocpe