Physical Education
Overview
The Arlington Heights School District 25 Library Media Program is integral to high academic achievement, fostering a culture of literacy and learning. Through an integrated and collaborative program, school library media specialists provide a framework for learning in the 21st Century, ensuring that students and staff are effective users and producers of ideas and information.
Physical Education is provided for all students in AHSD25 starting in Kindergarten and continuing through their 8th grade year. The overall aim of Physical Education in AHSD25 is to develop students' fundamental movement skills within a variety of developmentally appropriate game, dance, and gymnastic activities. The program will also enhance students' personal fitness and provides them with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in a variety of physical activities. The program also aims to develop students' personal and social responsibility, self-management skills, and problem solving-skills. The overall goal of this program is to enhance students' disposition toward leading a physically active lifestyle.
In addition to Physical Education, students also engage in Health education programming. 5th and 8th grade students learn about sexual health through programs lead by Candor Health Education specialists. In middle school, students engage in a Health class that focuses on nutrition, drug and alcohol awareness, personal and social responsibility, and self-management skills.
Standards
Illinois State Standards on Physical Development & Health outline learning in the following areas: movement skills; physical fitness; team-building; health promotion, prevention, and treatment; human body systems; and communications and decision-making. The Illinois Learning Standards for Physical Development and Health were developed using National Standards for Physical Education, National Health Education Standards, the 1985 State Goals for Physical Development and Health, and other states' standards and local outcomes from Illinois school districts.
Katie Paulson
kpaulson@sd25.org
Program Coordinator
Resources
State Learning Standards on Physical Development & Health
Healthy Fitness Zone Standards Overview
Healthy Fitness Zone Standards
Instruction
All Kindergarten through 5th grade students experience Physical Education classes. Students attend three 30-minute P.E. classes each week. Students participate in a variety of developmentally appropriate games and sports throughout the year, with a focus on skill development, teamwork, and physical fitness. Elementary P.E. teachers also incorporate learning experiences to develop students’ understanding of nutrition, body systems, conflict resolution, and decision-making.
Elementary School
Students in an enhanced physical education program spend at least 50% of class time in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), focus on physical activity and achieving each student’s personal best, emphasize teamwork and cooperation, and utilize a broader wellness approach in order to develop lifelong skills for physical activity and nutrition.