2124P Procedure - Physical Education and Health Class

Physical Education and Health Class

The superintendent or designee will adopt and implement a comprehensive physical education curriculum aligned with the Washington State Health and Physical Education K-12 Learning Standards. The district will provide students with physical education, using an age-appropriate, sequential physical education curriculum. The physical education program will promote the benefits of a physically active lifestyle and help students develop skills to engage in lifelong healthy habits.

Physical Education Requirements and Waiver Policy

All high school students are required to complete a minimum of three semesters (1.5 credits) of physical education. The district may excuse a student from this fitness requirement under RCW 28A.230.050 on account of physical disability, employment, religious belief, participation in directed athletics or military science or tactics, or for other good cause. Such excused students will be required to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge portion of the fitness requirement, in accordance with written district Policy 2407: Health and Physical Education Mastery-Based Credit.

Although physical disability can be used as a rationale for excusing a student from participation in Physical Education, the district will provide Adapted Physical Education that is aligned to Washington state K-12 Physical Education Learning Standards if physical education is set out in that student’s IEP and is specially designed to meet the unique needs of a student with a disability.

Professional Learning

The district will, subject to available resources, offer ongoing in-service and professional learning opportunities for staff in health education, physical education, and physical activity. Professional learning will help district staff understand the connections between academics and health and the ways in which health and wellness are integrated into ongoing district reform or academic improvement plans and efforts.

Quality Physical Education

Schools will implement a physical education program that includes instruction and practice in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns; knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics related to movement and performance; knowledge and skills to achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical activity and fitness; responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others; and values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction.

Family and Community Engagement

The district will offer opportunities to promote family and community involvement in supporting and reinforcing physical education and physical activity in the schools. Schools should ensure that the following occurs:

• Physical education activity ideas are sent home with students;
• Families are invited to attend and participate in physical education activity programs and health fairs;
• School staff are encouraged to cooperate with other agencies and community groups to provide opportunities for students to participate in physical activity programs.
• Families are actively notified of opportunities and invited to participate in school-sponsored physical activities and receive information about health promotion efforts.