Elementary Health & Physical Education
Elementary Program Goals
The goal of elementary physical education in Brevard Public Schools is to provide students with a standards based, balanced, sequential and progressive educational activity program. The program aimed at kindergarten through sixth grade students includes basic movement concepts and skills that are age and developmentally appropriate. This in turn leads to the development of motor skills, knowledge and values, which are needed to establish and maintain a healthy and physically active lifestyle. Aligned with Florida’s Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Physical Education, the Elementary Physical Education Curriculum Guide, Adapted Physical Education Resource Guide and Physical Education Best Practices Brochure are available to all teachers as the basis for their curriculum. FITNESSGRAM is the physical fitness assessment program used by all Brevard schools.
Guidelines For Meeting the Physical Education requirement of 150 Minutes Per Week
F.S 1003.455 (3), requires 150 minutes of physical education each week for students in grades K-5 (including 6th grade when in an elementary building). A minimum of 30 consecutive minutes is required on any day that physical education instruction is provided.
"Physical Education” means the development or maintenance of skills related to strength, agility, flexibility, movement, stamina, including dance; the development of knowledge of skills requiring teamwork and fair play; the development of knowledge and skills regarding nutrition and physical fitness as part of a healthy lifestyle; and the development of positive attitudes regarding sound nutrition and physical activity as a component of personal well-being.
150 minutes of Physical Education has been mandated for grades K-6 and will be audited by the Florida Department of Education. Such instruction may be provided by any instructional personnel designated by school principal. Florida Department of Education will review and revise the Physical Education State Standards.
Recess Requirement
F.S. 1003.455 (6)- In addition to the requirements in subsection (3), each district school board shall provide at least 100 minutes of supervised, safe, and unstructured free-play recess each week for students in kindergarten through grade 5 so that there are at least 20 consecutive minutes of free-play recess per day. This requirement does not apply to charter schools.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY (recess):
Based on sequence of learning, physical education should not be compared to or confused with other physical activity experiences such as (free play) recess, intramurals, or recreational endeavors. Physical Education courses and curriculum comply with the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards and offer the best opportunity to provide physical activity to all children. (Ref: Brevard County Wellness Policy and Procedures)
Dr. Wendy Smith, Director, Elementary Programs
Smith.wendy@brevardschools.org
321-633-1000 ext. 11340
Danielle O'Reilly, Content Specialist
K-12 Health/PE, Driver Education, and JROTC
oreilly.danielle@brevardschools.org
321-633-1000 ext. 11387