Health & PE Department

HEALTH DEPARTMENT OBJECTIVES The New York State Department of Education requires all students to complete one semester of Health Education at the senior high school level in order to meet NYS graduation requirements and receive a diploma.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OBJECTIVES: The Physical Education program is designed to meet the needs of each and every student. Each course offering encompasses an individual’s physical, social, emotional and cognitive self. The goal is to promote physical movements as it relates to the whole person and to instill a positive attitude toward fitness and health for a lifetime. Requirement: The passing of eight (8) semesters of Physical Education (4 years) is required for graduation. The Physical Education grade is included in the GPA and ¼ credit is granted each successful semester for a total of 2 credits for graduation.

The 7 – 8 physical education program will provide an opportunity for all students to have the necessary knowledge and skills to establish and maintain physical fitness, participate in physical activity and maintain personal health. Students will participate in personal fitness, individual and team sports. Our personal fitness program is a core strength and conditioning program. It is a deliberate attempt to optimize a students' physical competence in each of the ten recognized fitness domains. Cardiovascular and respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance and accuracy. This program is developed to enhance an individual's competency at all physical tasks along with the development of successful diet strategies. This conditioning program will take place in all classes concentrating on those activities which relate to sports and other group activities such as; flag football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, floor hockey, badminton and tennis, etc.

In grades 9 – 12, Blue Devil fitness is a core strength and conditioning program. It is a deliberate attempt to optimize a student’s physical competence in each of ten recognized fitness domains: Cardiovascular and respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy. This program is developed to enhance an individual’s competency at all physical tasks along with the development of successful diet strategies. This conditioning program will take place in all classes but will dominate the 60 percent of PE classes. During the other 40 percent of PE classes, students will participate in skill development, game strategies, socialization, teamwork and cooperation through traditional sport. This will take place during team-oriented classes concentrating on those activities which relate to sports and other large group activities such as; flag football, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, basketball, team handball, pillow polo, floor hockey, yoga etc.

Individual sport activities are also available for 9-12 students to participate alone or with a minimum number of people such as; tennis, badminton, pickle ball, golf, ping pong, etc. The Project Adventure elective option for Grade 9 aids in the participants’ development of greater self-confidence and at the same time builds a sense of trust and commitment among classmates. The emphasis in this course is on participation and students are encouraged to extend their limits both physically and emotionally. Students are required to participate in all group activities, but may decline to attempt individual challenges that they feel are beyond their personal limits. Field trips to low and high element PA experiences will be scheduled during the two semesters

TEAM SPORTS - PE 9-12 Course #800T: This course is designed to give students an opportunity to learn and develop fundamental and advanced skills and strategies in the team sport category as well as general fitness concepts and conditioning techniques used for achieving and maintaining optimal physical fitness. Students will participate in comprehensive team and cardio-respiratory activities and be empowered to make healthy choices, develop positive behaviors in a team setting, enhance their overall wellness and engage in movement activity for lifelong fitness. The curriculum features a variety of team sports. Students will learn skills, strategies, rules and personal and social responsibility in activities that encompass the sports of flag football, basketball, volleyball, floor hockey, team handball, soccer, Ultimate Frisbee and softball as well as several others.

LIFETIME SPORTS - PE 9-12 Course #800L: This course is designed to give students an opportunity to learn and develop fundamental and advanced skills and strategies in the lifetime/individual sport category as well as conditioning techniques used for achieving and maintaining optimal physical fitness. There will be basic, intermediate and advanced levels instruction in badminton, bowling, golf, tennis, table tennis, volleyball, pickle ball one-on-one basketball, lawn games, Frisbee golf, running/walking and personal fitness training, both indoors and outdoors. Classes will be held outdoors, in the gym and in adjoining fitness, rig and weight rooms.

PERSONAL FITNESS - PE 9-12 Course #800P: This course is designed to improve the personal fitness level of participants through anaerobic and aerobic conditioning exercises utilizing the fitness room, rig room and weight room as well as outdoor facilities. Students will learn how to create and follow through with workout plans for a variety of goals that meet their personal needs and interests. Nutrition, principles of fitness, anatomy and a variety of training methods will be explored. Students will be empowered to train and monitor themselves after school, on weekends and during vacation periods.

DANCE, YOGA AND MINDFULNESS PHYSICAL EDUCATION - Course # 800D: Dance, Yoga and Mindfulness is a physical education course designed for students to achieve individual fitness goals. It provides all students with the opportunity to acquire comprehensive knowledge of dance and yoga skills, the practice and benefits of mindfulness and fitness concepts. Students develop and apply a broad understanding of choreography, dance, yoga and fitness elements and learn a variety of fun training techniques, which can be applied towards achieving personal fitness goals. The combination of fitness, dance and yoga offers students a total body workout, which promotes heart-healthy benefits along with the positive attributes associated with mindfulness. Students will learn movements in step-cardio, dance-cardio, body toning, Zumba fitness, cardio-Latin dance, hip-hop dance, Pilates and others dance genres.

UNIFIED PHYSICAL EDUCATION – PE 9-12 – Course # 800U: The Unified physical education course provides a unique opportunity for students with and without disabilities to come together through ongoing educational and physical activities. The course provides an environment where students can apply the skills learned and bonds created during Unified PE in Huntington High School’s Unified bowling and Unified basketball programs. The course is designed to advance student leadership, promote social justice and improve overall health and wellness. This course can be the foundation for creating a more inclusive school environment where individual differences are embraced and all students are accepted. Course objectives are to increase physical fitness and sports specific skills, develop new friendships, promote social inclusion among classmates, reinforce positive and healthy habits and provide opportunities to develop movement confidence and competence in a variety of physical activities.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROJECT ADVENTURE II and III/PERSONAL FITNESS Course #808F, 809S, 815F, 816S: Project Adventure II is an extension of the PA 9 unit and focuses on further developing a student’s ability to manage their perceived personal limits to accomplish these goals. Students will develop high levels of selfconfidence and appreciation for each member of the group, while experiencing challenges. Culminating adventure lessons may include opportunities for students to participate in activities at offsite locations. Written activities are required. Personal fitness opportunities will also continue in this course. Project Adventure III is an extension of PA 9 and PA II. It further expands and develops the student into a leader. This course is designed to nourish each individual’s leadership style and his/her ability to communicate, problem solve, and develop interpersonal relationships while participating in many group activities. Culminating adventure lessons may include opportunities for students to participate in activities at offsite locations. Written activities are required. Personal fitness will also continue in this course.

ADAPTED/ADAPTIVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION - Course #810F, 811S Prerequisite: Inclusion only through referral process and departmental approval. The Adapted/Adaptive program is a comprehensive service delivery system designed to identify and ameliorate problems within the psychomotor domain. Services include psychomotor assessment, individualized educational programming, developmental and/or prescriptive teaching, counseling and coordination of related resources. Services provide optimal physical educational experiences for students who may not safely or successfully engage in unrestricted participation in the activities of the regular physical education program.

CPR All 9-12 students will complete hands-only instruction in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and instructions in the use of Automated External Defibrillations (AED).

FITFOLIO/HOME TUTORING In complying with the Commissioner’s regulations, the department of physical education offers a program to those students that are temporarily or permanently unable to participate in the regular program. Students medically excused from P.E. from one week to one year will participate in written projects pertaining to physical education and interscholastic athletics.

HEALTH - Grades 10, 11, 12 - Course # 730 (½ Year - ½ Credit) 5 periods weekly Offered: Fall and Spring Semesters. Required for Graduation Health Education is available to students in grades 10, 11 and 12. It is preferred that students take health in grade 10 or 11. The Huntington High School Health Education course presents a variety of methods for making its content available to the students. Class discussions, motivational games and activities, student presentations, guest speakers and audiovisual aids are all utilized to make this a student centered, positive classroom experience.

It is the philosophy at J. Taylor Finley Middle School that the physical education program will provide an opportunity for all students to have a quality education that meets the needs of all types of learners. Students are taught the necessary knowledge and skills to establish and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Seventh and eighth graders will participate in personal skill and fitness activities along with individual & team sports. Students are encouraged, educated and given the necessary tools in order to demonstrate responsible personal, emotional and social behaviors that are essential in life. Students are evaluated through affective, psychomotor and cognitive assessments during each marking period, whether the student is in a sport-related class or in a fitness or skill related activity. Finley takes pride in teaching wellness and lifelong fitness skills, which provide enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and social interaction.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION 7 AND 8 (40 weeks – alternating days) Physical Education is required of all seventh and eighth grade students. Class periods consist of a fitness, skill and sport activity segments. Finley’s personal fitness activities are geared toward core strength and conditioning. The main focus is to improve a student’s physical capability in each of ten recognized fitness domains: Cardiovascular and Respiratory Endurance, Stamina, Strength, Flexibility, Power, Speed, Coordination, Agility, Balance and Accuracy. This program is developed to enhance an individual’s proficiency at all physical tasks. Students will also participate in skill development, game strategies, socialization, teamwork and cooperation through team- oriented classes concentrating on those activities that relate to sports and other group activities such as flag football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, floor hockey, badminton, tennis, ultimate Frisbee, pickleball, lacrosse and track and field along with several others.

HEALTH 8 The State Education Department has determined that every student must receive at least one semester of Health at the middle school level. The Health Education curriculum examines critical health issues facing adolescents today. Topics include pressures of being a teenager, mental health, decision-making, family life, substance use and abuse, and chronic and communicable diseases. The students will identify and practice the skills necessary to make informed decisions and solve health problems.