The Health and Physical Education Curriculum is designed to produce individuals who have the knowledge and skills to think critically, solve problems, make informed decisions, work cooperatively within groups, appreciate different cultures, understand the benefits of physical activity, and how to achieve and maintain good health for a lifetime. The physical education curriculum concentrates on five areas of instruction for all students: skilled movement, movement principles and concepts, personal fitness, responsible behaviors, and physically active lifestyle. The health curriculum concentrates on providing the knowledge, processes, and skills needed to help students avoid health-risk behaviors identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 MEETING STUDENTS' NEEDS
 All students in Kindergarten through 5th Grade receive 90 minutes of physical education instruction twice a week in two 45 minute sessions. All students in grades 6 through 8 participate in a health and physical education class each year. All high school students are required to complete two years of health and physical education courses to fulfill the graduation requirement.

CURRICULUM, INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT
Health and Physical Education classes provide students with opportunities to develop and engage in meaningful physical activity both in the present and for a lifetime. Each grade level includes participation in a physically active lifestyle that will lead to personal enjoyment, challenge, and a health-enhancing level of personal fitness. The purpose of health education is to help students acquire an understanding of health concepts and skills and to apply them in making healthy decisions. In the tenth grade, health education includes classroom driver education. The purpose of classroom driver education is to provide students with a detailed understanding of the fundamentals of driving and foster responsible attitudes and behaviors. Behind the Wheel is available to students who have successfully completed classroom driver education, obtained a Learner’s Permit, paid the laboratory fee, and had a parent or guardian attend a Partners for Safe Teen Driving meeting with the teen. Behind the Wheel is a 14-hour optional course in which the student applies the knowledge, processes, and skills to become a safe and competent user of the highway transportation system. Elective physical education provides students with the opportunity to participate in physical activities that will achieve and maintain a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.

PARENT INVOLVEMENT
Parents are encouraged to reinforce the objectives of the health and physical education program by providing opportunities for making healthy choices and being active as a family. Parents can take action at home to support good health by turning family time into active time, setting limits on screen time, limiting fast food, making family meals a special time to eat together, keeping a family activity log, registering students for recreational activities, and/or encouraging them to try-out for middle or high school sport teams. Parents can also volunteer for field day, visit a health fair or physical education demonstration activity, and support the athletic boosters in your school.