Health and Physical Education
Ian Srebnick, Coordinator
ISrebni@schools.nyc.gov

The Health and Physical Education Department aims to provide students with the health knowledge and physical capability necessary to manage the school’s challenging academic and studio programs. Physical Education courses in the 9th through 12th grades provide students with physical activity as well as knowledge of and experience in a variety of individual and team sports. Students have access to specialized equipment, including a complete weight-training room.

Course Offerings

Aerobics - High and low-impact workouts (emphasis on muscle tone, fitness, proper weight, increased aerobic capacity).

Gymnastics  - Basic, intermediate and advanced skills (floor exercises and all types of apparatus).

Health Education - Focuses on the teaching of behaviors for healthy living. It covers topics such as personal hygiene, nutrition, and sex education.  Mental, social and emotional health issues are addressed as they impact choices regarding the use, misuse, and abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.

Physical Education - Instruction in various types of physical activity to promote the physical development and well-being of the individual. This involves organized sports, dance, and calisthenics. Games are also used to develop social skills that promote good sportsmanship and to create lifelong learners.

Team Sports - This class is open only to student varsity athletes in good academic standing who have maintained team status for two consecutive seasons on the same team.

Volleyball - Basic, intermediate, and advanced skills (drills and game-situation tournaments).

Yoga - An introduction to the fundamental posture exercises, breathing, and relaxation techniques as a basis for physical and mental self-improvement.

Weight Training -  This class is open only to student varsity athletes in good academic standing who have maintained team status for two consecutive seasons on the same team.

Physical Education Department Grading Policy

Expectations

1. Students will have (6) minutes at the beginning and end of each period to dress. The locker rooms will then be closed.
2. Latecomers will not be allowed into the locker rooms.
3. All late arriving students must show a late pass and sign the late log.
4. Students must be prepared to work daily in a t-shirt, shorts, sweatshirt, sweatpants, socks and sneakers. All shorts or pants must have an elastic waistband and/or drawstring.
5. State law prohibits the wearing of jewelry/piercing of any type in physical education classes. A student wearing jewelry/piercings is considered unprepared.
6. When a whistle blows assume a one-knee position on the gym floor and wait for further instructions. All activity and talking stops.
7. The gym and locker rooms are not to be used as thoroughfares. No student is to be in the gym or locker room unless scheduled for physical education that period.

A Grade in Physical Education is based on:

• Participation, progress and effort: = 90%
• Exams, Projects or Journals = 10%

Standardized Grading Policy: Grades and nonparticipation days are cumulative for all classes (5, 3, or 2 days per week).  Below are the minimum standards to pass the class.

• A nonparticipation day is defined as an unexcused absence, being unprepared, or late. A student who comes to class and does not participate in the class activity will be marked for nonparticipation.
• Notes from parents will be considered, but will not fully excuse an absence. A note from a doctor, court, funeral or official source will fully excuse an absence; further any excuse note from a doctor must explain what a student is capable of doing upon return to school.

Classes That Meet 5 Days per Week

A student who has:

• 4 nonparticipation days in a marking period – may earn a passing grade, maximum of 65%.
• 5 nonparticipation days in a marking period – will earn a failing grade, maximum of 55%.
• 14 nonparticipation days for the term - may earn a passing grade, maximum of 65%.
• 15 nonparticipation days for the term - will earn a failing grade, maximum of 55%.

Classes That Meet 3 Days Per Week

A student who has:

• 2 nonparticipation days in a marking period – may earn a passing grade, maximum of 65%.
• 3 nonparticipation days in a marking period – will earn a failing grade, maximum of 55%.
• 8 nonparticipation days in a marking period – may earn a passing grade, maximum of 65%.
• 9 nonparticipation days in a marking period – will earn a failing grade, maximum of 55%.

Classes That Meet 2 Days Per Week

A student who has:

• 1 nonparticipation day in a marking period – may earn a passing grade, maximum of 65%.
• 2 nonparticipation days in a marking period – will earn a failing grade, maximum of 55%.
• 5 nonparticipation days in a marking period – may earn a passing grade, maximum of 65%.
• 6 nonparticipation days in a marking period – will earn a failing grade, maximum of 55%.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION MAKE-UP POLICY

Classes That Meet 5 Days per Week

Students may make-up a total of 15 nonparticipation days, not to exceed more than 5 make-ups in any one marking period.

Class Meets 3 Days Per Week

Students may make-up a total of 9 nonparticipation days, not to exceed more than 3 make-ups in any one marking period.

Class Meets 2 Days Per Week

Students may make-up a total of 6 nonparticipation days, not to exceed more than 2 make-ups in any one marking period.