Health and Physical Education
Health and Physical Education Framework
What We Want
Ritenour students are committed to a lifelong, healthy, productive and physically active lifestyle for the 21st Century.
What We Know
- Nearly 17%, $168 billion, of U.S. medical costs can be blamed on obesity (Cawley and Meyerhoefer)
- The American Heart Association states that regular physical activity lowers risks of cardiovascular disease.
- The Surgeon General recommends children should engage in 60 minutes of moderate activity daily.
- The American Heart Association states that physical education promotes physical, mental, and social development.
- Studies show that physically active students are healthier physically, mentally and emotionally (Sallis).
- Daily quality physical education increases student rate of learning (Shephard).
- Physical education is positively related to increased academic performance (Shephard and Trudeau).
- There is a direct correlation between aerobic fitness and academic performance (Coe, DP et. al.).
What We Believe
- A healthy lifestyle includes physical, mental/emotional and social well-being.
- All children should have daily physical education enhanced by health instruction.
- Students should understand the cause and effect of decision making throughout their life.
- Children must develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and behaviors necessary to initiate and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle that will continue into and throughout adulthood.
- Students should be exposed to a variety of activities and skills to promote life-long fitness.
- Every physical education and health class should have continuous engagement.
- A 21st Century approach with technology and advanced programs must be available to our students.
- Physical activity is essential for academic success.
- Physical education exposes students to activities that provide personal enjoyment.