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Parent Guide to Physical Education

Elementary Physical Education

The following are some of the things you should know about  physical education in the BH-BL School District:

  • Kindergarten, first, second, and third graders will have a 30 minute physical education class three times a week. Students will be required to wear sneakers and regular school clothes. Students should not wear dresses on days when they have PE.
  • All jewelry, unneeded glasses, watches, money, hair bands, etc., should be removed and left in the classroom.
  • All children in the fourth and fifth grades are required to wear appropriate gym clothes for personal hygiene and safety concerns. The school district will provide a PE t-shirt free of charge for all 4th grade students. 5th grade students can wear their one from last year or a maroon spartan shirt. Also, each child must wear sneakers with laces and/or straps. Sneakers and socks are not for sale at the schools.
  • PE clothes should be marked with last name, permanently placed as follows:
    • Sneakers – outside both sneakers
    • Girls and boys gym t-shirts – in the space provided
    • Students are provided with baskets to keep their PE clothes in.
  • Physical Education is required by the State of New York and it is  mandatory for every student who is physically able to  participate. If a student is recovering from an illness or injury   the student may be excused up to one week without a doctor’s  excuse, provided he or she brings a written excuse from home  signed by a parent or guardian and presents it to the school nurse  for approval. For any period longer than one week, an excuse signed by the doctor must be presented to the instructor, except in cases of obvious injury.

Our Physical Education Goals

There are three basic goals of physical education:

  • Produce physically fit youth
  • Teach the relationship between physical activity, physical fitness and  health
  • Promote the skills, knowledge and attitude to help children lead  active, healthy and productive lives as adults.

The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Physical Education staff is a team of  innovative leaders who continue to create new horizons in physical  education. Their commitment and enthusiasm is generating unlimited  possibilities and unprecedented results for their students.

Students participating with this physical education staff are: 

  • Establishing healthy lifestyles through purposeful integration of mind, body and spirit.
  • Demonstrating knowledge and skills for participation in a wide variety of physical activities.
  • Demonstrating effective skills in communication, decision making and  stress management.
  • Demonstrating self-worth and independence.
  • Demonstrating integrity, honesty and respect for themselves and others.

Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Physical Education Program provides a  wide variety of quality units of study. These include:

  • Fitness Tests
  • Individual/Team Sports
  • Lead Up Games
  • Creative Movement
  • Dance/Rhythms
  • Project Adventure
  • Lifetime skills

Our program provides opportunities for students to develop skill  related fitness such as:

  • Balance
  • Coordination
  • Agility
  • Strength
  • Speed

Develop and maintain physical fitness including:

  • Cardio Respiratory Endurance
  • Flexibility and Muscle Strength and Endurance
  • Develop personal living skills including:
  • Respect For Others
  • Cooperation
  • Collaboration
  • Trust
  • Communication
  • Honesty and Fair Play
  • Decision Making
  • Problem Solving
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Goal Setting

Physical Education in the Middle School

The aim of the BH-BL District Physical Education Program is to provide the students an opportunity to:

  • Experience a program of physical education that relates to their varying social, mental, emotional, and physical needs.
  • Experience a program that provides a variety of activities that will enable each student the enjoyment of a wholesome physical education experience.

The BH-BL District Physical Education Program will provide for each student:

  • Physical fitness activities that promote strength, endurance and coordination necessary for optimum health, now and throughout life.
  • An opportunity to learn basic sport concepts and skills.
  • Ample opportunity to acquire skills necessary for lifetime sports.
  • An opportunity to learn and appreciate the enjoyment derived through physical activity.
  • The necessary environment where positive attitudes toward health and safety can be learned through physical activity.
  • Ample opportunity for the student to develop social skills adaptable to individual and group interaction.
  • Experiences that permit the students to assume leadership and followership responsibilities.
  • A wholesome atmosphere where the student will feel free to participate without ridicule or embarrassment from their peer group.
  • Experiences that enhance the understanding and appreciation of excellence through participation and appreciation of sport.
  • Opportunities to be involved in making decisions and assuming the responsibilities of these decisions.
  • An atmosphere suitable for student appreciation for the rights and privileges of others.
  • An environment that enhances the importance of individual and group discipline.

    Classroom Administration

    1. Participation: All students are expected to participate to the best of their ability in all PE activities.
    2. Dress: All students will change into appropriate athletic clothing for class participation. The appropriate dress will be: shorts, tee shirts, sweats, socks and sneakers with laces. Cutoffs, street shoes, and all other types of dress will be inappropriate. All students must be properly dressed for class, changing from school clothes to PE clothes. Failure to be properly dressed and ready to participate will result in the student not earning points for Physical Education.
    3. Excuses from home signed by a parent or legal guardian: A student who brings a note or excuse signed by a parent or guardian requesting to be excused from participation in their assigned Physical Education class will follow the procedures listed below:
      • The student will take the excuse to the school nurse who will issue a formal excuse.
      • The student will take the excuse that has been issued by the nurse to their Physical Education teacher.
      • The teacher will evaluate and honor the excuse, and/or may prescribe an alternative Physical Education program for that particular student. If a student will be out one week or longer, a note from a doctor is required. Note: In all cases and/or situations the student will report to their assigned Physical Education Class and teacher.
    4. Attendance and Excuses: Students are required to attend Physical Education for 12 ten-week periods (grades 6-8) as a requirement. They are expected to attend and participate in all classes. Daily excuses will be evaluated by the Physical Education staff and the school nurse. Requests for long-term modification in Physical Education classes must be made by a physician on the appropriate school form. If a student is to be excused for an extended period of time, the physician must determine what activities the student is able to participate in and the length of time the limited participation is to be in effect. A general rule to follow is that if the student is able to attend school, they are able to participate in some aspect of our PE program. Parents are urged to have the family physician contact the Director of Physical Education for discussion of an appropriate modified program.
    5. Grading: All students will receive numerical grades based on the following assessment areas:
      1. Knowledge
      2. Personal/Social Relations
      3. Participation and preparedness for class
      4. Skills

    A general rule to follow is that if a student has not participated in class they will not earn their 4 points. All legal absences (refer to Student Code of Conduct) can be made up with the make-up procedures listed below. A student who is truant or cuts a class will receive a zero for work missed and will not have the opportunity to make up the class.

    Middle School Physical Education Make-up Procedures

    Arrangements for make-ups must be within a 2-week period of time of the missed class.

    • Activity Period – running, jogging, or walking. Students are encouraged to connect with their PE teacher to make arrangements for a class make-up.
    • Written assignments will be given as a make-up for lengthy medical excuses.

    [PRINT-FRIENDLY GUIDE TO MIDDLE SCHOOL PE]

      Physical Education in the High School

      Philosophy and Objectives

      The aim of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake School District Physical Education Program is to provide the student an opportunity to:

      • Experience a program of physical education that relates to their varying social, mental, emotional, and physical needs.
      • Experience a program where they, the students, have the opportunity to select various activities.
      • Experience a program that provides a variety of activities that will enable each student the enjoyment of wholesome physical education experience.

      The Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake District Physical Education Program will provide for each student:

      • Physical fitness activities that promote strength, endurance, and coordination necessary for optimum health, now and throughout life.
      • An opportunity to learn basic sport skills.
        Ample opportunity to acquire skills necessary for lifetime sports.
      • An opportunity to learn and appreciate the enjoyment derived through physical activity.
      • The necessary environment where positive attitudes toward health and safety can be learned through physical activity
      • Ample opportunity for the student to develop social skills an adaptable to individual and group interaction
      • Experiences that permit the student to assume leadership and follow responsibilities.
      • A wholesome atmosphere where the student will feel free to participate without ridicule or embarrassment from his own peer group.
      • Experiences that enhance the understanding and appreciation of excellence through participation and appreciation of sports.
      • Opportunities to be involved in making decisions and assuming the  responsibilities of these decisions.
      • An atmosphere suitable for student appreciation for the rights and privileges of others.
      • An environment that enhances the importance of individual and group discipline.

      Classroom Administration

      1. Excuses from home participation

      Excuses from home signed by a parent or legal guardian.

      A student who brings a note or excuse signed by a parent or legal guardian requesting to be excused from participation in their assigned Physical Education class will follow the procedures listed below:

      • The student will take the excuse to the school nurse.
      • The student will take the excuse that has been created by the nurse to their Physical Education teacher.
      • Requests for long-term modification in Physical Education classes must be made by a physician on the appropriate school form. If a student is to be excused for an extended period of time, the physician must determine what activities the student is able to participate in and the length of time the limited participation is to be in effect. A general rule to follow is that if the student is able to attend school, he or she is able to participate in some aspect of our Physical Education program. Parents are urged to have the family physician contact the Director of Physical Education for discussion of an appropriate modified program.

      Note: In all cases and/or situations the student will report to their assigned Physical Education Class and teacher.

      2. Dress

      All students will wear appropriate dress for class participation. The appropriate dress will be: shorts, tee shirts, sweats, socks and sneakers. School issued athletic uniforms should not be worn for PE class. Failure to be properly dressed and ready to participate may result in loss of daily points.

      3. Attendance

      Students are required to attend Physical Education for 16 ten-week periods (grades 9-12) as a requirement for graduation. They are expected to attend and participate in all classes.

      *Student athletes who do not participate in PE are ineligible for their practices or games that day.

      4. Grading

      All students will receive numerical grades based on the following assessment areas:

      • Skills
      • Knowledge
      • Personal/Social Relations
      • Participation

      A rule to follow is that if a student has not participated in class they will lose seven points. All legal absences (refer to Student Code o f Conduct) can be made up with the following make-up procedure. A student who is truant or cuts a class will receive a zero for work missed and may not have the opportunity to make-up class.

      Physical Education Make-up Procedures

      Arrangements for make-ups must be within a 2-week period of time.

      1. Activity Period: running, jogging, or walking – weather permitting – fall and spring. (Prior arrangement or approval).
      2. Written assignments will be given as a make-up for lengthy medical excuses.

      High School Physical Education Make-up Procedures

      Arrangements for make-up points should be within a two week period of time.

      1. Morning or Academic Assistance Period in Fitness Center can be used as a make-up by prior arrangement with the student’s Physical Education teacher. Maximum of five points based on effort.
      2. Joining a PE class (during a student’s study hall, late arrival or early release) may receive full credit.
      3. Make ups for an extended medical excuse (longer than a week) can include (written work, physical therapy or modified physical activity prescribed by a physician.
      4. The following need two make-ups: (1) Absent from class (2) Not prepared
      5. The following need one make-up: (1) Education field trips (2) State testing (ex. AP exams) (3) Foreign exchange trips.
      6. No make-up required: Sectional/State Athletic Competitions or Instrumental Lessons.
      7. Teachers will communicate with students on days/times over regents week when classes can be made up in the Fitness Center. Prior approval from their PE teacher is required.

      Participation in athletics (school or outside activities) will not count towards Physical Education class credit