TO: HEALTH, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, AND DRIVER EDUCATION STUDENTS AND PARENTS
FROM: HEALTH, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, AND DRIVER EDUCATION INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF
DATE: SEPTEMBER 2005
RE: PHYSCIAL EDUCATION POLICY
A. NUMERICAL GRADING SCALE - Grading in Health, Physical Education, and Driver Education will be in accordance with the grading standards for Fairfax County Public School. A numerical percentage based on the 100% scale for each nine-week grading period will be reflected on the report card as a letter grade. The final letter grade for the year will be determined by averaging the four 9-week numerical grades.
B. CRITERIA FOR DETERMINING QUARTERLY GRADES:
Participation - – based on the student’s successful participation in the assigned activity. In order to participate, the student must be present, dressed in appropriate clothing and safety equipment, and act appropriately for the activity. Student safety and hygiene must be primary considerations. The student will be expected to set goals and actively pursue improving his/her skills in each activity. Student participation and effort during fitness activities will be closely scrutinized and evaluated.
Grading Student Involvement:
· unexcused absence ................. 1-6 points
· opening activity.........................1-2 points
· non-dress ............................... 1-6 points
Time Out examples:
· inappropriate/unsafe behavior...................................... 1-6 points
· inappropriate language.................................................. 1-6 points
Safety dictates that jewelry will be removed for participation. In addition, inhalers, goggles, mouthpieces, etc., appropriate for safe participation in the designated activity is required. In order to expect full credit, students must be on time and prepared to cooperatively participate in each activity.
Skill Assessment and Fitness Competency- - During the course of each unit it is important for students to practice the skills introduced for safe and enjoyable participation in the activity. The instructor may assess these skills in a formal or informal manner. For units in which a skills assessment is not feasible, (injury, extended illness, too many snow days, etc.) the written evaluation may be worth more or an alternative assignment will be given.
Cognitive - - This may include rules, history, strategies of the game, and/or knowledge of fitness information and activities. Students will be required to keep a 3-ring notebook that will contain handouts and class notes.
Quarterly grades will reflect the exact resulting percentage of the student’s work during that grading quarter.
C. DETERMINING THE FINAL GRADE FOR THE YEAR - The percentages of the four quarterly grades will be averaged to arrive at the final average for the year. .
D. ABSENCES
Excused Absences: Students are allowed three excused absences (3 blocks) each quarter. Since, in physical education, activity is of great importance, each additional excused absence must be made up in order to regain participation points. Eighth period intramural activities may be used for this purpose. All make-ups must be done prior to the last two weeks of the quarter. Eighth period Intramural participation may be logged with your Physical Education teacher prior to your absence. Each make-up block (block A or B) will be worth 3 points.
In line with FCPS policy, three unexcused absences result in an automatic grade of “F” for the grading period. However, students should continue to dress for activity and participate to maintain their numerical average at the highest possible level.
Students needing to be out of class for the block period must receive prior permission to do so. If remaining in another class, it is the student’s responsibility to secure prior approval and arrange for make-up work. Failure to do so is considered an unexcused absence.
E. NON-DRESS/NON-PARTICIPATION
Excused non-participation:
· A note from a parent or guardian is required to excuse a student from participation. The note should state the student’s name, date, and the reason for the non-participation. Due to our scheduling for PE, notes must be brought for each day of non-participation. Notes are not accepted after the fact. The student is expected to dress out and may be asked to participate in some type of remedial activity.
· After three consecutive days of parental notes, FCPS policy states that a physician’s note must be provided to excuse a student from physical education. If this note is for an extended period of time, an adapted physical education program form should be secured from the P. E. Instructor. This allows the physician to direct the staff in planning a more individualized program for the student.
· If a student becomes ill at school and feels that he/she cannot participate, he/she should notify the teacher and a clinic pass will be issued. This will be considered an excused absence and is a required make-up.
· Excused non-participation is considered in the same manner as an excused absence. Students are responsible for make-up work. Failure to complete the make-up work will result in points deducted from the student’s grade.
· Illness, injury, or excused absences that exceed three days must be made up to regain participation points.
Unexcused non-participation:
· Five unexcused non-dress periods will result in an automatic grade of “F” for the grading period. Unexcused non-dress periods cannot be made up.
F. UNIFORMS - The physical education department will sell uniforms. During cooler weather students may wear sweat clothing over the gym clothing according to individual needs. The sweats are to be full length and in good repair. They will be put on after the warm-up.
Proper dress for physical education consists of:
· TJ gym shirt and TJ gym shorts in good condition and worn in the proper manner
· white athletic socks
· athletic shoes in good repair that offer proper support for the foot and ankle with laces that are tied or secured with velcro straps
Purchasing Uniforms: Please make checks payable to USA (Universal Sports Apparel), or have the correct change.
Price: SHIRTS: $7.00; MESH SHORTS: $9.00; TOTAL: $16.00
The student's name will be placed on the bottom front border of the shirt and on the waistband of the shorts.
Care of Uniforms: The uniforms may not be altered in any way and are to be washed a minimum of once a week, depending on the activity and use.
G. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT - The following equipment is required of all students enrolled in physical education:
· Mouth guard
· inhaler (if applicable)
H. SUGGESTED SUPPLIES – The following items are highly suggested to be a part of each student’s individual supplies:
· towel for weight room use
· towel for showering
· deodorant (no aerosol cans)
· soap
I. CLASS PROCEDURE - In order for the Physical Education classes to get started quickly and in accordance with the philosophy and rules of the school, the following guidelines have been established:
· The student must be in the locker room by the beginning of the class period, and report to class at the proper time. Class officially begins 5 minutes after the posted class time. Each class will start with an opening activity worth 1 – 2 points. Students who are tardy will lose the opportunity to earn these points.
· At the end of class, the student will be given the opportunity to shower and dress in their street clothes and stay in the designated area until their dismissal at the end of the period. Leaving early may be considered a class cut and will result in no points being awarded for that day's class. These points may not be made up.
J. HONOR CODE - The Physical Education staff supports the school honor code. We understand that situations arise during the year where there may be opportunities to bend or break the rules. We expect our students to exhibit high standards by not choosing to take advantage of these situations.
Consequences:
· zero on work involved
· notification of parent
· referral to the appropriate administrator
· notification of guidance counselor
· no make-up
K. LOCKS/LOCKER ROOM
LOCKS: the Physical Education Staff does not issue Locks. Students must bring their own COMBINATION LOCK. STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED NOT TO SHARE LOCKER COMBINATIONS.
LOCKERS: Students will be assigned a small locker for storing P. E. clothing, shoes, and materials when not attending a physical education class. Long lockers may be used only when attending the P. E class for hanging street clothing, storing books, and securing valuables.
Prior to leaving class, all clothing, etc. must again be stored in the small locker, or taken with the student. Students are encouraged not to bring valuables or objects that cannot be secured. PE students use long lockers each block period, therefore, the staff reserves the right to remove locks, clothing, etc., that have been left in long lockers. The staff assumes no responsibility for items left in the locker room.
LOCKER ROOM: The purpose of the locker room is for dressing and preparing for class. Inappropriate behavior is not tolerated.
Consequences:
· conference with locker room supervisor
· notification of base P. E. teacher and/or parents
· administrative conference
· possible loss of locker room use
L. USE OF FACILITIES/EQUIPMENT - The gym area and/or equipment is to be used with staff supervision only. Both gyms are closed to student use during lunch, during all breaks, and before and after school.
M. HEALTH, PHYSICAL EDUCATION, AND DRIVER EDUCATION STAFF:
Ms. Davis PE 9
Dr. Deivert PE 10, Health 10
Mr. Hodges Health, PE
Mr. James PE 9, PE 10
Mr. Potoker Health Education, PE 9, PE 10
Ms. Stetson PE 9,10, Driver Education
N. PLEASE print the following form and provide a completed copy to your base HPE/Dr. Ed. teacher.
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SIGNING THIS FORM INDICATES THAT YOU AND YOUR PARENT(S)/GUARDIAN(S) HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE ABOVE DOCUMENT AND AGREE TO FOLLOW ITS GUIDELINES. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, PLEASE CONTACT THE APPROPRIATE TEACHER. THANK YOU.
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student name (printed) student signature
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parent/guardian name (printed) parent/guardian signature
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parent/guardian name (printed) parent/guardian signature