Oak Crest Middle School Physical Education Syllabus 2024-2025

Welcome to Oak Crest Physical Education! We are thrilled to have your student in our comprehensive program this year. Our goal is to create a safe and challenging environment where students can develop into lifelong physical learners. Each PE teacher maintains a Google Classroom where current information and assignments will be posted.

PE Goals:

Our physical education program aims to:

• Provide a safe and challenging space for students to learn the foundations of lifelong physical fitness.

• Improve students' fitness components: cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and flexibility.

• Teach and play various team sports, activities, and skills.

Uniform Policy:

Oak Crest Middle School offers a PE uniform for purchase, including a shirt, shorts, sweatpants, and a sweatshirt. However, purchasing a uniform is optional. Please refer to the "Flexible Dress Policy" below for alternatives.

• Sweatshirts and sweatpants may be worn over the t-shirt and shorts.

• For safety, no zippers, pockets, or hoods are allowed during contact sports.

• If purchasing a uniform is a hardship, please speak with your PE teacher; a uniform will be provided.

Footwear:

• Laced athletic shoes must be worn at all times.

• The following are not allowed: flip-flops, Crocs, platform shoes, flats, high heels, slip-on shoes (e.g., Vans), boots, or non-sport hosiery (e.g., fishnet stockings, pantyhose) worn under PE shorts.

Flexible Dress Policy:

Students may come to school dressed for PE class instead of changing in the locker rooms. Students can still use the locker rooms for storing backpacks.

Appropriate Attire:

• Shorts: NAVY BLUE or BLACK athletic shorts that reach the student's thumb when their arms are placed by their sides. Shorts should have at least a 5-inch inseam and be without pockets. Rolling up shorts to a length shorter than the student's thumb is not allowed.

• Leggings: Black leggings are permitted.

• Shirt: A plain white or green full-length, crew neck, t-shirt with no pockets (name must be written on the outside).

Medical P.E. Guidelines:

For students unable to participate in PE due to injury or extended illness, the following guidelines apply:

• Physician's Note: If a student will be absent from or unable to participate in PE for more than three class sessions, a physician's note is required. The note should provide specific details about the student's limitations and what activities they can or cannot do, along with a clear end date for the exemption. To help us plan appropriately, please avoid open-ended notes or give us a reference for the next doctor's appointment. A specific end date is required.

• Communication:If a student reports feeling unwell or injured without prior notification from parents, they will be sent to the nurse for further clarification. The nurse will then contact the parents to confirm the situation. Since PE teachers are often outside teaching and may not immediately check their emails, the preferred method for communication is through a handwritten note. To ensure a smooth process, parents should inform the PE teacher via email, note, or through the front office if their child is unable to participate or needs a modified program. If a student has a note (parental or physician), they should hand it directly to their PE teacher. The teacher will record the note and if it is a doctor's note, will then forward it to the nurse. The PE teacher will attempt to modify the student's program to meet the parents' and physician's guidelines.

• If modifications cannot be made, the student may be exempted from PE as per Ed. Code 51241 and may be assigned as a TA during the period of exemption.

• If the injury extends beyond five weeks (for traditional schools) or 12 class sessions (for academies), the student will receive a temporary exemption and may be dropped from the class if no modifications can be made.

Menstrual Cycle and PE Participation:

Students are expected to participate in PE during their menstrual cycle. While individual comfort levels and symptoms can vary, current research indicates that regular physical activity, including exercise during menstruation, is generally safe and can offer health benefits.

Resource: Norton, K. L., Schmidt, L. L., Lee, J. E., & Van Pelt, R. G. (2012). The impact of physical activity on menstrual pain and menstrual cycle characteristics. Journal of Women's Health Physical Therapy, 36(2), 105-112. https://doi.org/10.1097/JWH.0b013e31823a5411

Participation Policy:

While active participation is expected, student grades will not be based solely on participation. Instead, they will be evaluated on their performance in various activities according to the California PE Standards.

Grading Policy:

Grades in PE are determined by the following criteria, based on the California Physical Education Standards:

1. Warm-Ups: Execution and understanding of warm-up routines.

2. Sport Skills: Demonstration and development of specific sport-related skills.

3. Teamwork: Ability to work effectively within a team setting.

4. Individual Work: Effort and progress in individual tasks and exercises.

5. The 5 Components of Fitness: Individual improvement in cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and knowledge of body composition.

6. Game Play: Application of skills and strategies in a game setting.

7. Inclusivity: Demonstrating inclusive behavior, ensuring all students are engaged and supported.

8. Google Classroom Assignments: Completion of online assignments, such as Edpuzzles, related to the sports and lessons being taught in PE.

9. We offer opportunities for extra credit assignments- We want all kids to be successful and to get an A! 

Additional Notes:

• Adherence to PE Rules: Students are expected to consistently follow classroom and PE rules and guidelines. While adherence to these rules is important for maintaining a positive learning environment, it is not graded.

PE Make-Ups:

• Students can make up missed assignments during designated make-up days in class (Wednesday and Thursday during Wave Time) or by arranging a time with their PE teacher.

• Students who have a doctor's note indicating they cannot participate in physical activities due to injury will be exempt from physical assessments (e.g., run, warm-up, skills assessment). However, if they are able, they are still required to complete Google Classroom assignments to stay current with the curriculum.They may also be assigned tasks such as keeping score of a game, acting as a TA, or assisting as a peer helper in the PE class.

• Students with a parent's note and out temporarily (up to three days) due to illness or injury will have opportunities to make up missed work. Assignments during this period will be graded.

• Students who choose not to participate or make up assignments will receive a zero.

Grading Rubric Descriptions:

1. Excellent (5):Consistently demonstrates high-level proficiency across all assessed areas, including skills, teamwork, fitness components, and adherence to rules. Shows significant improvement from baseline assessments and consistently performs at or above expectations. 

2. Good (4): Demonstrates solid proficiency in most areas, with occasional room for improvement.

3. Satisfactory (3): Shows basic proficiency but may need additional support in some areas.

4. Unsatisfactory (2): Lacks proficiency in several areas and requires significant improvement.

5. Poor (1): Fails to demonstrate understanding or effort in most areas.

Grades will be updated weekly in Aeries 

Grading Scale:

• A = 90% & above

• B = 80-89%

• C = 70-79%

• D = 60-69%

• F = 59.9% & below

Academic Dishonesty:

Physical Education upholds the same standards of academic integrity as other classes. Examples of violations include:

• Cutting the running course

• Cheating on assessments and activities

• False reporting of times on runs and fitness tests

• Vandalism of PE facilities or equipment may result in severe consequences, including suspension or arrest.