Fort Plain Central School District > Physical Education > Jr./Sr. High School Physical Education Course Information

Jr./Sr. High School Physical Education Course Information

The secondary physical education experience focuses on developing the understanding of athletic activities and life long recreational activities. Providing the skills necessary to participate as well as instilling the desire to stay active is essential to a successful program.

The district grading policy requires participation. Missed classes can have a negative impact on a student’s grade which is why make up classes are provided each quarter. Make-up information can be obtained through individual physical education teachers.

Participation Requirements

  • Sneakers
  • Shorts
  • Athletic Pants
  • T-Shirt
  • Sweatshirt
  • Locks are provided

Course Requirements

Credits, Distribution

  • 2 Physical Education credits are required for graduation.
  • Typically, our course meets one period, every other day, (2 or 3 days a week), for a full school year.
  • Each semester in PE is ¼ credit, and with 2 semesters each year, you will earn ½ PE credit a year.
  • Each ½ PE credit per year (for 4 years) will total the 2 credits required for graduation.

Requirements

Physical Education is required every semester a student is registered at Fort Plain Junior / Senior High School. The New York State Education Department requires that all students, regardless of existing condition, be provided a program in Physical Education, administered by certified Physical Education teachers. Physical Education is a state mandated requirement for graduation.

Department Objectives

  • To provide students with opportunities to develop skills and an appreciation for a variety of physical activities.
  • To provide students with opportunities to improve their levels of fitness, as well as to understand concepts related to physical fitness, through participation in a variety of physical activities.
    Students will design and implement their own personal fitness plan, demonstrating effective goal setting practice, with the end goal of incorporating regular physical activity into their daily lives.
  • To provide students with the necessary information and skills to access community resources, so that they may effectively pursue healthy lifestyle choices.
  • To promote physical fitness and wellness with the goal of guiding our students towards making positive choices for a healthy lifestyle.
  • Through a standards-based curriculum, our students are provided opportunities to achieve physical, cognitive, and social interaction skills by practicing in a wide variety of activities. The standards and benchmarks are grade specific, so the physical education program is organized by grade level.
  • Various physical fitness assessment tools are utilized to subjectively assess student’s physical fitness levels in both the Fall and the Spring. Students are provided opportunities to improve their fitness between testing events and a strong wellness focus throughout the year that encourages improvement in aerobic capacity, flexibility, strength endurance and realistic goal setting practices.
  • To become familiar with career opportunities and qualifications necessary for employment in the field of fitness, wellness, and sport.

7th and 8th Grade

Prerequisite: Successful completion of Elementary Physical Education

Course Content: The content of the 7th and 8th grade Physical Education course consists of introductions to (but not limited to) the following activities:

Categories: Fitness Assessments, Fitness Concepts and Skills, Team Passing Sports, Net/Wall Activities, Personal Performance, Outdoor Activities, Striking / Fielding Activities, Dance / Aesthetics, Target Sports, and various other Fitness Activities.

9th and 10th Grade

½ Credit (each year)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of 7th and 8th-grade Physical Education

Course Content: The content of the 9th and 10th-grade Physical Education course consists of (but not limited to) the following activities:

Categories: Fitness Assessments, Team Passing Sports (Ex: Team Handball, Soccer, Ultimate Frisbee), Net/Wall Activities (Ex: Tennis, Badminton, Volleyball), Personal Performance (Ex: Track & Field, Weight Training), Outdoor Activities (Ex: Orienteering, Project Adventure), Striking / Fielding Activities (Ex: Softball, Pickleball), Dance / Aesthetics (Ex: Zumba, Yoga), Target Sports (Ex: Bowling, Archery), and Fitness Activities (Ex: Exercise Ball Exercises, Cardio-Games).

11th and 12th Grade

½ Credit (each year)

Prerequisite: Successful completion of 9th and 10th-grade Physical Education

Course Content: The content of the 11th and 12th-grade Physical Education course consists of (but not limited to) the following activities:

Categories: Fitness Assessments, Team Passing Sports (Ex: Basketball, Team Handball, Flag Football), Net/Wall Activities (Ex: Tennis, Badminton, Volleyball), Personal Performance (Ex: Track & Field, Weight Training), Outdoor Activities (Ex: Orienteering, Lawn Games), Striking / Fielding Activities (Ex: Softball, Pickleball), Dance / Aesthetics (Ex: Zumba, Yoga), Target Sports (Ex: Golf, Archery), and Fitness Activities (Ex: Exercise Ball Exercises, Cardio-Games).

Grading

  1. Daily Grade: Consists of a rubric that includes skills, concepts, personal responsibility, levels of engagement, and appropriate attire. 
  2. Assessments / Projects / Classroom Assignments: May include (but not limited to) the following: Skills / Cognitive / NYS PE Profile Rubrics, weight room student record, Fitness tests goal setting contract, performance tasks, partner assessments, score sheets, sport. ed. responsibilities, personal fitness plan, creative projects, or community resource evaluations. 
  3. Common Departmental Assessments: Common Assessments related to general fitness concepts and knowledge, agreed upon by the Physical Education Department.  
  4. Your Final Exam in Physical Education class will be assigned by your Teacher. The Final Exam could include a written exam, a portfolio collection of work, or a project.

Participation and Social Responsibility Rubric

4 points

  • *Consistently makes excellent use of ability
  • Consistently has an excellent attitude
  • Is consistently a team player
  • Is consistently safe and responsible
  • Is consistently respectful and considerate to others

3 points

  • *Usually makes use of ability
  • Usually has a positive attitude
  • Usually is safe and responsible
  • Usually is respectful and considerate to others

2 points

  • *Occasionally use of ability
  • Occasionally a team player
  • Is occasionally safe and responsible
  • Is occasionally respectful and considerate to others
  • Is unprepared for class and borrows clothing for class

1 point

  • *Rarely participates
  • Is rarely respectful and considerate to others
  • Rarely has a positive attitude
  • Rarely acts in a safe and reliable manner

0 points

  • *Refuses to participate, or absent from class
  • Fails to treat others with respect
  • Demonstrates a negative attitude
  • Demonstrates lack of safety and reliability
  • Is unprepared for class and refuses to wear clothing supplied by PE department

20 pointes

  • *Written test at the end of the ten weeks covering all activities
  • Review sheet will be handed out previous to test

4 points x 20 weeks = 80 points + 20 points =  100 points for Grade

Medical Excuses

Students who are medically excused will fall into two categories.

Students who are completely restricted will be given written work to complete.

Students who are not completely restricted will be given modified or alternative activities in which to participate. The work will be based on the current unit of study.

All students are required to participate in physical education classes if they are medically able to do so. Absences from class due to medical reasons must be made up by the end of the marking period.

Exceptions to this policy must be discussed and agreed upon with the student’s physical education teacher.

Medical excuses required from the Medical Office must be submitted to the student’s physical education teacher. All students that are out of class due to a “medical” must report to their teacher each day they have physical education class to receive an alternative assignment. If the doctor has approved alternative activities that can be safely accomplished during class, a student may attend their regular physical education class to complete them. If a long term medical make-up assignment is given to the student by their teacher, an agreed upon due date will be established.

Exemption criteria

Exemption Application

The student must meet all of the following criteria and must initiate and follow through on all procedures.

  • Must be a junior or senior varsity athlete.
  • Student must have passed each quarter of the Physical Education class since entering ninth grade.
  • The exemption is a privilege. At any time during the course of the school year, school administrators, as well as the Physical Education department reserve the right to withdraw students from the program for not following procedures associated with the program.

Procedure

  • Students must apply for exemption.
  • Students must obtain the signature of:
    • physical education department leader
    • parent or guardian
  • return the completed application form to the physical education department leader. The physical education department leader will verify student’s varsity athletic status in all applicable sports with the Athletic Coordinator.
  • The Physical Education department leader / Athletic Coordinator will submit completed applications for physical education exception to the building administrator. The Principal will approve or disapprove the application. Approved applications will be forwarded to the guidance office and athletes will be scheduled for an appropriate class or study hall.
  • Athletes will be assigned a grade by their coach at the end of the semester in which they receive the exemption. Any coach not certified as a teacher will work with a certified physical education teacher to insure that all state requirements and procedures are met and followed.
  • Any athlete participating in two or more varsity sports will fulfill the physical education requirement for that school year. Other athletes will be awarded the following credit:
    • Two Sport Athlete – Full PE credit (.5) for academic year.
    • Fall Sports (Cross Country, Soccer, Golf, Volleyball) – Receive Fall Semester Credit (.25 credits)
    • Winter Sports (Cheerleading, Basketball, Swimming, Bowling, Wrestling -Receive Spring Semester Credit (.25 credits)
    • Spring Sports (Baseball, Softball, Track) – Receive Spring Semester Credit (.25 credits)
    • Maximum of .5 credits awarded in any year.

Adaptive Physical Education

Prerequisite: CSE or Physical Education approved evaluation. 

Course Content: The content of Adaptive Physical Education will meet the specific needs of the students based on their education plan. The activities will include (but are not limited to): Basketball, Floor Hockey, Soccer, Badminton, Softball, Team Handball, Weight Training, and Fitness Concepts.  The activities will be adapted to allow for maximum proficiency in a safe and positive learning environment. 

Course Information: This course is designed to focus on improving gross and fine motor competence, balance, coordination, tracking, muscular strength and endurance, agility, body composition, positive self-confidence, and self-image. The course stresses lifelong involvement in physical activities and continued education about health and fitness.