Health & Physical Education Program
Welcome to the Department of Health and Physical Education. We hope that this site will help you better understand our programs and course selections. For more information contact you child’s school or Counseling Center.
New York State Educational Learning Standards for Health & Physical Education
The New York State Education Department has established learning standards for Health Education & Physical Education denoting the skills and abilities each student should attain at various levels of his or her education – elementary, middle and high school levels.
Elementary School Level
Health & PE Education at the elementary level provides students the opportunity to begin and develop lifelong skills that will promote health and wellness. Health education instruction focuses on the development and practice of the following health skills: self-management, communication, planning & goal setting, decision making, stress management, relationship management, and advocacy. While exploring these foundational skills, students learn about the following topics at age-appropriate levels, using age-appropriate activities: nutrition & physical activity, injury prevention, violence prevention (including sexual abuse prevention), substance use prevention, infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS), and dental health.
- Fitness
- Nutrition
- Enjoy Being You! (Puberty Curriculum) | Grade 5 Female Lesson/Video | Grade 5 Male Lesson/Video (Opting out of this lesson is possible.)
- Prevention Council (Evidence Based Prevention Programming)
- Sexual Abuse Prevention Curriculum
Middle School Level
Middle School Health Education builds upon the skills and knowledge that students learned throughout their elementary years. In 6th grade, students participate in “Survive and Thrive in Middle School.” This 8-week exploratory course focuses on healthy skills, such as self-management and self-advocacy, as well as digital wellness (accessing high-quality information).
In 8th grade, health education is a 20-week course that focuses on self-management, relationship management & communication,* planning & goal setting, decision making, stress management, communication, and advocacy. This course is aligned with the NYS Health Education Guidance Document. During the relationship management & communication unit,* the functional knowledge taught to reach the NYS standards includes sexual risk and family life/sexual health. *Students may opt out of only this unit. [Follow this link to learn more.]
High School Level
Health education at the high school builds on the health skills and information learned and practiced at the middle school level. This 20-week course focuses on self management, decision making, communication, stress management and advocacy skills. These skills combine with relevant teen topics such as nutrition, HIV/AIDS, sexual health, substance abuse, and injury and violence prevention. Students use critical thinking skills and discussion while exploring a variety of reliable health sources to create a basis for promoting life-long health and wellness practices. This course is aligned with the NYS Health Education Guidance Document.
Health Education at the high school is a continuation of what was learned and practiced in middle school. The curriculum is responsive to the needs of students enrolled in the class and is focused on developing skills that will enhance all dimensions of their health as a teenager and as an adult. Click this link to view curriculum topics and examples of resources used in classes.
Physical Education Program
Physical Education is important, because it not only relates directly to good health, but is also a powerful social agent. The program provides opportunities for students to interact with their peers and become involved in activities that can be enjoyed now and for much of life. Physical education develops skills and provides knowledge for physical fitness and enjoyment of physical activity. Activities presented to the student include conditioning and body mechanics, aquatics, self-testing activities, games, team sports, rhythm and dancing, and skill and knowledge tests. In addition to the daily physical education program, students can further their interests through the intramural and interscholastic athletic program. These programs provide extra participation time for the students.