Physical Education

Oak Ridge PE Staff

Brian Ackland
Brian.Ackland@district196.org
651-683-6969 ext. 92717

Susan Salter
Susan.Salter@district196.org
651-683-6969 ext. 92330

Welcome to Oak Ridge physical education! Every student has the opportunity to develop skills at his or her own pace as well as understand the "hows" and "whys" of each. All lessons are success-oriented with an active environment for all levels of fitness and skill. Self improvement is the emphasis with the theme "the most fun wins".

Students attend physical education classes daily for 25 minutes. Each student receives four lessons every five-day cycle with the physical education specialist.

One lesson in the five-day cycle is conducted by the classroom teacher and has been prepared by the specialist (except 1st grade has physical education from specialist everyday).

Each Lesson Includes:

1. Instant Activity: This provides the student with a ready made physical activity when entering the gymnasium.
2. Introduction: This prepares the student for strenuous activity. The emphasis is to develop physical fitness in the the arm and shoulder region, trunk area, and legs, as well as cardio-respiratory endurance.
3. Lesson Focus: The intent is to carry out the objectives of the total physical education program in the areas of physical fitness, general motor abilities, and basic sport skills.
4. Group Activity: This provides the student with an active, exciting, closing activity with the opportunity to apply fundamental skills and the knowledge attained in the lesson focus.

Physical Education Attire:

1. Gym shoes must be worn for all physical education activities. Shoes must be laced up or velcroed shut during class activities. Please be certain the gym shoes have non- marring soles. (NO sandals, deck shoes, moccasins, heels, aqua socks, or boots.)
2. Dress in comfortable clothes. Anticipate the weather when class is outside.
3. If wearing a dress or skirt, shorts are encouraged.

Medical Excuses:

1. Parental excuses must be approved before each class by the nurse.
2. Excuses for more than one week should have a doctor's note.
3. If a child's activity should be restricted or limited in any way, please inform the nurse and physical education specialist.

All Oak Ridge students in grades 1 - 5 participate in a district-wide fitness check every fall and spring. Students are checked in the areas of abdominal strength, upper body strength and endurance, flexibility of the lower back and hamstrings, and cardio-respiratory endurance. The emphasis of the check is for each student to maintain or improve his/her level of physical fitness. District- wide norms for each item of the check have been compiled and are sent home with each student's fall and spring progress report. The norms provide information in regard to each child's level of fitness in relationship to other children in the district.