Dana Black
by Dana Black
ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL EDUCATION
MISSION STATEMENT:
Physical education is an important part of the elementary school program. It contributes to the overall goals of the elementary school as well as making its unique contribution to the study of human movement and the development of motor skills. It is concerned with the total development of children: their physical, motor, cognitive, social and emotional development.
The relationship between human growth and physical activity is well documented. Physical exercise is an important component in the growth of healthy tissues, organs and bones.
Physical education is a cognitive experience. Through physical education children develop an understanding of the body's potential for movement, mechanical principles and laws governing movement, and the applications of these movement concepts in a variety of situations.
The social development of children undergoes dramatic changes during the elementary school years. It is a period for learning beginning social skills and the more advanced skills required for working cooperatively with others. Children come to the physical education experience with varied backgrounds in social development. Some have learned to share, take turns, and to play with others, but for some, this experience will be almost totally new. The informality of physical education classes provides a natural environment for the development of social skills and emotional control. Group cooperation, leadership, followership, and group problem solving skills are an important part of the physical education experience. Good sportsmanship and emotional control are valued outcomes of programs in which competition is carefully controlled and winning and losing are kept in perspective.
Dear Parent/Guardian,
Senate Bill 530 requires that the FITNESSGRAM physical fitness assessment be administered to all students in grades 3-12. FITNESSGRAM is a health-related fitness assessment developed by The Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research and is a research-based criterion referenced test.
Hart Independent School District considers FITNESSGRAM a quality assessment for three reasons:
1. FITNESSGRAM establishes a baseline of a healthy fitness zone from which students can set goals and check their progress (non-competitive) to plan for lifelong physical activity and to maintain and improve their fitness level. Health-related fitness assessment measures students’ aerobic capacity, muscular strength/endurance, flexibility and body composition.
2. FITNESSGRAM provides recommended activity program options that will help students reach healthy fitness zones in those areas where they need to improve.
3. FITNESSGRAM does not place an emphasis on skill or sports-related fitness such as speed measured by an individual’s 40 yard dash time. It does not compare students to other students.
FITNESSGRAM tests all students regardless of age, gender, or ability. Students are encouraged to be self-aware of health-related fitness and take responsibility by setting personal fitness goals. When students focus on the process of doing their personal best, a more positive lifelong impact is achieved.
On your child’s test day, he/she should wear athletic shorts, a t-shirt, socks, and tennis shoes underneath an appropriate warm-up suit (jacket and pants) or underneath standardized dress. Testing in warm-ups is permitted and your child may wear the warm-up suit the entire day. If your child forgets proper testing attire, he/she will proceed with the fitness test in standardized dress.
You may request a copy of your child’s physical fitness assessment by submitting a letter to your principal at the end of the school year. Hart ISD believes by providing you and your child with this health-related fitness information, you can lead your child toward a healthy lifestyle. A healthy student is better prepared to learn and perform in all aspects of life.
If you have any questions about the FITNESSGRAM Assessment, please contact Dana Black, Physical Education & Health Coordinator (806-938-2142) or refer to http://www.FITNESSGRAM .net/texas/.
Sincerely,
Dana Black
Physical Education and Health Coordinator
Hart ISD
The Elementary Track meet has been scheduled for May the 14th. Please mark your calendars for this special event for the elementary students.
