HEALTH EDUCATION

Health Education on the junior and senior high levels is mandated by the State Education Department. Each level includes instruction in the areas of mental health, consumer health, family life and human sexuality, substance abuse (drugs, alcohol, tobacco), nutrition, disease prevention, including instruction about A.I.D.S. (HIV infection), and safety and first aid. Instruction, based upon the students’ maturity, focuses upon the development of the individual’s self-esteem and his/her ability to develop responsible decision-making skills. It also promotes healthful behaviors and reflects the goals of the New York State Learning Standards for Health Education.

The goals of the program reflect the New York State Learning Standards for Physical Education, and the district's mission.

Junior High Physical Education - The purpose of the junior high physical education program is to introduce students to a broad range of physical activities and information, including team sports, individual and lifetime sports, rhythms, dance, and adventure activities, with a concentration in personal fitness. Personal living skills are introduced to develop mental, social and emotional wellness through active participation in class activities and intramurals.

Senior High Physical Education - The purpose of the senior high physical education program is to prepare students to lead healthier and more physically active adult lives. The activity based program provides opportunities to attain concepts and learn skills in depth, for fitness development, team, individual and dual lifetime sports, rhythms, dance, outdoor activities, and personal living by learning about the roles played in developing healthful behaviors. In addition, students will understand and be able to manage their personal and community resources so they can continue to be physically active beyond school.

Adaptive Physical Education - An adapted physical education program, meets the needs of students in all grade levels who demonstrate a low fitness level, who are recuperating from an injury, who are convalescing from an illness, or who are designated by the Committee on Special Education.

(The Commissioner of Education's regulations require that each student in physical education participates to be eligible for graduation from high school. Two credits are earned toward graduation. District requirements mandate that each student successfully complete four years of physical education in grades nine through twelve.) Commencing with the Class of 2005, the calculation of the student's GPA will include his/her grade in Physical Education.