Health and Physical Education

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student climbing wall reading for next step — Climbing to new heights with health and physical education

The ultimate objective of health and physical education is to empower students with health and physical literacy. We do this by:

Engaging students with meaningful learning experiences that develop their understanding, skills, mindsets and beliefs
Giving students autonomy in their learning
Inspiring students to apply learning in all aspects of life and in their community
Fostering a sense of belonging
Providing equitable access
Making learning fun and relevant!

Services Available

Professional Learning
Resource Development
Networking and Collaboration
Customized Services for Districts/Sites (Professional Learning, Coaching, Strategic Planning, Curriculum Design/Identification, and more!)
Support with Ed Code Compliance (Federal Program Monitoring, Physical Fitness Testing, CA Healthy Youth Act, etc)

stay informed

2024 SDCOE Health and Physical Education April Update

2023-24 SDCOE Health and Physical Education Professional Learning Calendar

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The NEW Reference Guide for Physical Education in California Schools

Describes the intent of physical education
Clarifies Ed Code
Addresses common questions
Helps guide program/course design
Provides access to resources

Critical NEW Resources
NEW SHAPE America National Physical Education Standards: Educator Kit (released March 2024)
NEW SHAPE America National Health Education Standards: Educator Kit (released March 2024)

More to Explore

Professional Learning and Networking Opportunities

SDCOE Health and Physical Education Advisory Meeting

District and site leaders are invited to a collaborative conversation re: national/state/local updates, professional learning, trends, best practices, resources and more!

Spring Meeting (in person):

May 1, 2024
8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

SDCOE Exemplary Secondary Physical Education Site Visits

Join us as we examine "First Best Instruction" in secondary physical education in real time. Visits will feature exemplary physical education teachers and programs working their magic with students at the following schools:

Pacific Beach Middle School (San Diego Unified SD)
Valhalla High School (Grossmont Union High SD)

We will utilize NEW "First Best Instruction" documents created by the SDCOE Health & Physical Education Instructional Cadre to capture structures, strategies, assessments and inspiration! Debrief and Q&A time will be provided to best understand how practices can be replicated.

April 9, 2024
7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SDCOE Exemplary Unified Physical Education Site Visits

Join us as we examine "First Best Instruction" in United physical education (classes that bring together general and adapted physical education students) in real time. Visits will feature exemplary physical education teachers and programs working their magic with students including:

Deirdre Fabian, Perry Elementary (San Diego Unified SD)
Chris Ahrens, Patrick Henry High School (San Diego Unified SD)

April 16, 2024
9:30 am to 3 p.m.

SDCOE Exemplary Elementary Physical Education Site Visits

Join us as we examine "First Best Instruction" in elementary physical education in real time. Visits will feature exemplary physical education teachers and programs working their magic with students including:

Brian Nassif, Albert Einstein Elementary Charter School
Robbie De Perro, Perry Elementary (San Diego Unified SD)

We will utilize NEW "First Best Instruction" documents created by the SDCOE Health and Physical Education Instructional Cadre to capture structures, strategies, assessments and inspiration! Debrief and Q&A time will be provided to best understand how practices can be replicated.

April 24, 2024
8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

San Diego County CAHPERD End of Year Awards and Social

Mark your calendars to attend the 2024 San Diego CAHPERD End of Year Awards and Social on Thursday, May 16, from 4 – 6:30 p.m. Location TBD. Don’t forget to nominate deserving teachers and programs for recognition. See the San Diego CAHPERD section below for more information.

RSVP to attend by May 9

Submit Award Nominations/Applications by April 15

2023-24 Health and Physical Education Updates

NEW Reference Guide for Physical Education in California Schools Released

The Reference Guide for Physical Education in California Schools supports the implementation of quality physical education by:

Describing the intended outcome of physical education
Clarifying CA Ed Code and regulations
Addressing coming issues, questions and misunderstandings
Providing the opportunity to assess and rethink physical education traditions
Guiding course design, curriculum and instructional practice
Providing access to resources

Health and Physical Education Literacy, Standards and Framework

Physical Education

The intended outcome of physical education is to build students’ Physical Literacy. Physical Literacy describes the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life. (Margaret Whitehead, 2014 as cited by the International Physical Literacy Association 2015).

Elementary and Middle School Overarching Standards

The five overarching model content standards for elementary and middle school students are as follows:

Standard 1: Students demonstrate the motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.
Standard 2: Students demonstrate knowledge of movement concepts, principles, and strategies that apply to the learning and performance of physical activities.
Standard 3: Students assess and maintain a level of physical fitness to improve health and performance.
Standard 4: Students demonstrate knowledge of physical fitness concepts, principles, and strategies to improve health and performance.
Standard 5: Students demonstrate and utilize knowledge of psychological and sociological concepts, principles, and strategies that apply to the learning and performance of physical activity.

High School Overarching Standards

For high school youths the three overarching content standards are as follows:

Standard 1: Students demonstrate knowledge of and competency in motor skills, movement patterns, and strategies needed to perform a variety of physical activities.
Standard 2: Students achieve a level of physical fitness for health and performance while demonstrating knowledge of fitness concepts, principles, and strategies.
Standard 3: Students demonstrate knowledge of psychological and sociological concepts, principles, and strategies that apply to the learning and performance of physical activity.

Physical Education Model Content Standards (PDF)

Physical Education Framework

SHAPE America Standards and Grade Level Outcomes for K-12 Physical Education

Health Education

The intended outcome of health education is to develop students’ Health Literacy. Health-literate students are those who understand basic health information, directions and services needed to make informed personal health decisions which may also contribute to healthier communities. Health Literate and health-informed students are:

Critical thinkers and problem-solvers when confronting health issues
Self-directed learners who have the competence and skills to use basic health information and services in health-enhancing ways
Effective communicators who organize and convey beliefs, ideas and information about health issues, translating their knowledge to applied practices
Responsible and productive citizens who help ensure that their community is kept health, sage and secure

Health Education Content Areas:

Nutrition and Physical Activity
Growth, Development and Sexual Health
Injury Prevention and Safety
Alcohol, tobacco and Other Drugs
Mental, Emotional and Social Health
Personal and Community Health

Overarching Health Education Standards: Kindergarten Through Grade 12

Standard 1: Essential Health Concepts — All students will comprehend essential concepts related to enhancing health.
Standard 2: Analyzing Health Influences — All students will demonstrate the ability to analyze internal and external influences that affect health.
Standard 3: Accessing Valid Health Information — All students will demonstrate the ability to access and analyze health information, products, and services.
Standard 4: Interpersonal Communication — All students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health.
Standard 5: Decision Making — All students will demonstrate the ability to use decision-making skills to enhance health.
Standard 6: Goal Setting — All students will demonstrate the ability to use goal-setting skills to enhance health.
Standard 7: Practice Health-Enhancing Behaviors — All Students will demonstrate the ability to practice behaviors that reduce risk and promote health.
Standard 8: Health Promotion — All students will demonstrate the ability to promote and support personal, family, and community health.

Health Model Content Standards (PDF)

Health Education Framework

Research, Articles and Resources

Articles

Resources

Health Education Resources

Physical Education Resources

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

Equity and Access

SDCOE Equity Blueprint Webpage
SDCOE Equity Services and Support Webpage
California Department of Education: Supporting LGBTQ+ Students Webpage
National Equity Project: Libertory Design Mindsets (PDF)
Zeretta Hammond: Ready for Rigor - A Framework for Culturally Responsive Teaching (PDF)

Associations

Presidential Youth Fitness

CA Ed Code and Legislative Updates

Please review the California Department of Education's Physical Education FAQs for specific information about COVID, credentialing, required coursework, grading, independent study, exemptions, environmental factors, coaches, athletic insurance, aquatic instruction, dressing/lockers, charter schools, the Physical Fitness Test (PFT), pupil fees, uniform complain procedures and more!

CDE Physical Education FAQs

2024 Physical Fitness Testing The California Department of Education (CDE) announced that Physical Fitness Testing (PFT) protocols for 2023-24 will be identical to those that were used in the 2022-23 school year including:

NOT collecting any data related to body composition (height, weight)
NOT collecting age or gender data
NOT using the Healthy Fitness Zones as defined by FITNESSGRAM
Providing students with their personal fitness assessment scores
Reporting the percentage of students who participate in each of the five required fitness assessments (aerobic capacity, abdominal strength and endurance, trunk extensor strength and flexibility, upper body strength and endurance, flexibility) in the School Accountability Report Card

Teachers are encouraged to:

Encourage students to “do their best” on each fitness assessment so that it is an accurate measurement of their current fitness
Utilize grade-level standards to determine how PFT scores are utilized for students to set and achieve personal health and fitness goals
Give students options to test, not in front of peers
Protect student privacy
Prioritize an emotionally safe environment to avoid bullying and/or body shaming

For more information, visit the CDE PFT webpage and CDE PFT FAQ webpage.

Reference Guide for Physical Education in California Schools

San Diego CAHPERD Unit

The California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) is a nonprofit group started in 1930 to promote healthful lifestyles though quality education. San Diego Unit 47-412 meets two or three times a year. The meetings are open to the public and to educators who aren't a member of the statewide organization.

Upcoming Meeting Dates

San Diego CAHPERD Social: All San Diego health and physical educators are invited to network with colleagues from throughout the county on Thursday, April 18 from 4:00 – 6:00 at Nova Brazil Brew Pub (1640 Camino Del Rio North, #341, San Diego).
San Diego County CAHPERD End of Year Awards and Social: Mark your calendars to attend the 2024 San Diego CAHPERD End of Year Awards and Social on Thursday, May 16 from 4:00 – 6:30. Location TBD. Don’t forget to nominate deserving teachers and programs for recognition. See the San Diego CAHPERD section below for more information.

San Diego Unit CAHPERD Co-Presidents

This year Austin Olson (Pacific Trails Middle School, San Dieguito Union High School District) and Terri Clark (Patrick Henry High School, San Diego Unified School District) are collaborating as Co-Presidents of San Diego CAHPERD. Please feel free to contact them at austin.olson@sduhsd.net or at tclark1@sandi.net.

Teacher and Program of the Year Applications

Teacher and Program of the Year awards are given out at the unit's end-of-year banquet. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2022. For more information about the awards, contact Paige Metz.

Health and Physical Education Monthly Update Archive

SDCOE Health and Physical Education February Update

SDCOE Health and Physical Education January Update

SDCOE Health and Physical Education December Update

SDCOE Health and Physical Education November Update

SDCOE Health and Physical Education October Update

SDCOE Health and Physical Education September Update

SDCOE Health and Physical Education June 2023 Update

SDCOE Health and Physical Education May 2023 Update

SDCOE Health and Physical Education April 2023 Update

SDCOE Health and Physical Education March 2023 Update

SDCOE Health and Physical Education February 2023 Update

SDCOE Health and Physical Education January 2023 Update

SDCOE Health and Physical Education December 2022 Update

SDCOE Health and Physical Education November 2022 Update

SDCOE Health and Physical Education October 2022 Update

Local, State and National Professional Organizations/Partners

National Professional Organizations and Partners

Society for Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) America
- SHAPE American National Convention: March 12 – 16, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
American Heart Association

State Professional Organizations and Partners

California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD” )
- 2024 CAHPERD State Conference: February 1-3, 2024 in Garden Grove, CA
California Department of Education (CDE)”
California Health Education Website

Local Professional Organization

San Diego CAHPERD
- Co-Presidents: Terri Clark (San Diego Unified SD) and Austin Olson (San Dieguito Union High SD)
- Upcoming Events:
  - Fall Social (TBD)
  - Winter Social at CAHPERD State Conference (TBD, Feb 1-3, 2024)
  - End of Year Awards and Social (TBD)
2023 End of Year Awards and Recognition:
- Teachers of the Year
  - Chris Ahrens, San Diego Unified (Adapted Physical Educator)
  - Ben Upham, Valhalla High School (Secondary Physical Educator)
New Professional of the Year
- Sara Langdon, Del Mar Union SD
Community Partner of the Year
- Chelsea Walczak-Vircks, American Heart Assoc
Administrator of the Year
Exemplary Contribution to the Profession
- Jasmine Stiles, San Dieguito Union High SD

Local Community Partners

San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative
- Local School Wellness Policy Clearinghouse and Model Policies
San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA)
- San Diego HHSA Tools for Schools

main contacts

Paige Metz

Coordinator, Instr & Curr Cont

School: 858-295-8868

Amber Baldwin

Administrative Assistant I

School: 858-298-2007