Wellness Program
The Wellness Program is a comprehensive curriculum for grades 9 through 12. The curriculum structure is designed to integrate the learning experiences inherent in our health education, physical education, safety education and family and consumer science learning programs.
The primary goal of the Wellness Program is to provide opportunities for students to gain the knowledge and experiences necessary to develop attitudes and practices to make informed decisions that will help them develop and maintain good health practices while living safely in a constantly changing environment.
The successful completion of the Wellness Program is a graduation requirement for all students. As a significant part of the Wellness Program’s Core Curriculum, the successful completion of all health education units is critical to meeting the above requirement.
9th Grade Wellness: The Core Wellness curriculum for 9th grade students will include the following units:
Health 9A
Freshmen Fitness
Health 9B
Project Adventure I
10th Grade Wellness: The Core Wellness curriculum for 10th grade students will include the following units:
Driver’s Education
Strength & Conditioning I
Health 10
Project Adventure II
11th Grade Wellness: The Core Wellness Curriculum for 11th grade students will include the following units:
Health 11
Junior Physical Education Activities
Yoga & Stress Management
Strength & Conditioning II
12th Grade Wellness: The Core Wellness Curriculum for 12th grade students will include the following units:
First Aid & Safety
Senior Physical Activities
Senior Wellness
Grading
All Wellness units are full-year courses. Quarterly letter grades in all Wellness units will be determined by the student’s level of academic performance and participation. The final grade will be determined by the cumulative average of all health and physical education unit grades.
The Wellness Lifestyle units of study reflect the core wellness curriculum at each grade level. Teachers will adjust the instructional delivery model to meet the unique learning styles of designated students.
New Jersey State Law requires Health and Physical Education in each of the secondary grades. The primary goal of Health and Physical Education is to provide opportunities for students to gain knowledge and develop attitudes and practices necessary to meet the health needs of youth and society. A most important aspect in a student’s life, or any individual’s life, is the development and maintenance of good health and learning to live safely in a constantly changing environment. The health curriculum is designed to meet the above objectives.
Health Education
The Health Education Instructional Program has, as its foundation, a common core of learning experiences for all students, as well as an opportunity to elect from areas of personal interest. Instructional units will include sequential progression, performance objectives and prescribed formative and cumulative assessments.
Health 9 A & B
Health 9 A & B place emphasis on the topics of substance abuse prevention education and family living. The importance of good decision-making and problem solving techniques are emphasized. The family living unit will include physical development, social development, reproductive anatomy and contraception.
Health 10
This unit explores the causes, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, cancer and infectious diseases. Infectious diseases such as influenza, meningitis and sexually transmitted infections are covered with the goal of developing decisive personal skills. Chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer are studied with the goal of achieving life styles that will help prevent the progression of disease. Substance abuse and nutrition information is included as it relates to these disease topics.
Health 10 RAHP will reflect the regular core curriculum requirements for the Ridgewood High School Wellness Program. There will be appropriate adjustments in the curriculum delivery model in order to accommodate off-campus visits and other RAHP specific program requirements.
Driver’s Education
This unit is geared towards developing thoroughly trained, skillful and well-informed drivers of safe and courteous attitudes towards the use of the automobile. Heavy emphasis is placed on alcohol, drugs and driving. The psychological and physiological aspects of the operation of the motor vehicle are covered.
Drivers Education RAHP will reflect the regular core curriculum requirements for the Ridgewood High School Wellness Program. There will be appropriate adjustments in the curriculum delivery model in order to accommodate off-campus visits and other RAHP specific requirements.
Health 11
This is a mental health unit that includes work to enhance personal and interpersonal life skills. Self-esteem issues, inclusive of eating disorders, depression, and the cognitive, emotional, behavioral and social needs of individuals, groups and families. There is also an emphasis on suicide prevention. The impact of nutrition and substance abuse on mental health is also studied.
RAHP Health 11 unit will reflect the regular core curriculum requirements for the Ridgewood High School Wellness Program. There will be appropriate adjustments in the curriculum delivery model in order to accommodate off-campus visits and other RAHP specific requirements.
Health 12 -- First Aid & Safety
This course is a standard first aid course that covers basic first aid, CPR, and the use of an AED. This course teaches students critical skills needed to respond to and manage an emergency until emergency medical services arrives. Skills covered in this course include first aid; choking relief in adults, children and infants; and what to do for sudden cardiac arrest in adults, children, and infants.
Physical Education
The Physical Education Instructional Program has, as its foundation, a common core of learning experiences for all students. Instructional units will include sequential progression, performance objectives, and prescribed formative and cumulative assessments.
As a significant part of the Wellness Program’s Core Curriculum, the successful completion of all physical education units is critical to meeting the above requirement.
Physical Education Assessment Areas
Skill Demonstrated
This will include individual skills evaluation and teacher observation of participation in an activity. Attention will be given to student progress, as well as performance level attainment.
Knowledge Demonstrated
This will be determined through teacher observation and when appropriate, practical or written testing procedures. Students will be evaluated on their ability to apply rules, game strategies, and health concepts.
Attitude Demonstrated
Attitudes displayed in the areas of effort, cooperation and participation will be evaluated on a continuing basis throughout each course. Students will be expected to be dressed in a change of clothing deemed appropriate for the activity.
Fitness Level Maintained
The Ridgewood Physical Education Program is based on the motto, “Win With Wellness”. All students attending Ridgewood High School are expected to maintain high levels of personal fitness. Their effort toward this end will be an integral portion of their letter grade in all physical education courses.
Grading
Quarterly letter grades in physical education will be determined by the student’s level of performance with an emphasis on individual progress. Semester grades will be determined by the cumulative average of their health and physical education quarter grades.
Adaptive Physical Education
As the core program is required for all freshmen, sophomores and juniors, students must receive passing grades in these courses before moving into the elective program. Students who are legitimately unable to participate in the physical activity segments of the Physical Education Core Curriculum may be assigned to Adaptive Physical Education or an independent study project for which they will be graded. These requirements are based on the philosophy that if a student is capable of attending classes at Ridgewood High School, we can help design a program to meet their needs.