Physical Education 9, 10, 11, 12
The physical education program is an integral part of the total school curriculum and reflects state and national standards. Students attend physical education classes every other day throughout the year and participate in learning activities that focus mainly on developing skills and acquiring knowledge that facilitate safe competent activity during tasks and leisure. Opportunities are provided to practice and hone skills, combine them into sequences, and execute them under a variety of conditions. Students earn one half credit for the successful completion of their physical education program each year and are required to earn two credits during their high school career to satisfy New York state graduation requirements.
Course offerings may include skill development in basic and creative movement, rhythm and dance, competitive games, cooperative games, perceptual motor skills, individual and team sports, aquatics, and outdoor living. Students must demonstrate competency in at least six activities and proficiency in three activities. The activity categories are team passing sports, net/wall sports, target sports, striking/fielding sports, dance and aesthetic sports, personal performance activities, and outdoor activities.
Prior to graduation, each student creates a personal fitness program that is designed to improve cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and body composition. There are two primary assessment strategies: 1) physical activity performance assessments, which are authentic opportunities for students to perform basic motor and manipulative skills and 2) cognitive performance assessments, which are authentic opportunities for students to document understanding and application of knowledge. Students are assessed in the areas of application of skills, application of strategy, application of rules and conventions, and application of meeting personal and social responsibilities.
½ credit
Health
Health education instills in students the knowledge and skills needed to examine alternatives and make responsible health- related decisions. Drawing on knowledge from the biological, environmental, social, psychological, physical, and medical sciences, health education helps students learn to prevent and manage health problems. The health curriculum covers human growth and development; parenting skills; nutrition; family life; alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; safety; First Aid and survival; community health; environmental health; diseases and disorders; consumer health; emotional health; and how to live a healthy life-style. To address these issues a shift in the approach in health courses has become necessary. Rather than simply conveying facts and rules of behavior to the students, health educators provide knowledge and hands on activities that enables students to make their own responsible decisions on matters that are important to their total well-being. Health courses are available to eleventh grade students and those tenth grade students entering the International Baccalaureate Program.
½ credit
Athletics
The interscholastic athletic program is an integral part of the dynamic activities offered in the educational development of our students. Young people learn a great deal from participation in interscholastic athletics. Athletics provide opportunities for students to exhibit personal and social responsibility, fair play, cooperation, concern for others, leadership, respect for authority, good citizenship, loyalty, and an appreciation of diversity. Student athletes must exhibit academic achievement and are reminded that winning is not the only criteria used to determine success. Student athletes are taught to strive for their maximum intellectual and physical character that makes them successful and productive citizens. School enrollment numbers place the Pine Bush High School in the “AA” classification in football and “A” classification in all other sports. Pine Bush athletes participate in Section 9 competition.
Noncredit bearing