Letter+to+the+Parents

Dear Parent and/or Guardian, ** Physical Education ** is an integral and essential component of the education of American youth. Physical activity provides kids opportunities for enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction. Increased physical fitness improves heart/lung function, reduces body fat and decreases the risk of disease associated with unhealthy lifestyles. Aerobic activity can also “increase vigor and promote clear thinking.” Involvement in physical activity has been shown to “positively affect grade scores of students in primary schools.” According to the Surgeon General, physical inactivity is one of the leading causes of heart disease and mortality in our country. The **American Heart Association** says that "schools at all levels should develop and encourage positive attitudes toward physical exercise as well as provide opportunities to learn physical skills and to perform physical activities, especially those that can be enjoyed for many years." So you see, good **Physical Education** programs **CAN** make a difference! In **Physical Education** class this year, children in grades 1-5 will learn and continue to refine skills and concepts centered around the following themes: The above categories are put into the contexts of appropriate activities, games, rhythms, and units. They are sequenced with your child’s abilities in mind, with the end result to help your child learn and be successful. Success is achieved through the accomplishments of learned skills and activities rather than “winning” and “competition.” To help your child be successful this year, I ask that you please be aware of the following guidelines for ** Physical Education ** : ** 1. ** If your child needs to be excused from ** Physical Education ** activities, please write, email, or call and leave me a message as to why your child can not participate in class (doctor notes are preferred). Remember that it is my goal for the children to be **ACTIVE** during **Physical Education** class, so please make sure you are not writing a note for your child just because he/she does not want to participate in a particular activity. ** 2. ** If your doctor limits ** Physical Education ** participation, please ask him/her to be **specific** as to the amount of activity or certain activities your child can/cannot participate in as well as a date(s) when they are able to gain back full participation in class. ** 3. ** For your child's safety, your child will be limited in the amount of participation allowed without proper footwear in ** Physical Education ** class. Proper footwear includes tennis-type/sneaker shoes--those with a flat bottom (no heel) and the foot fully covered. Crocs, clogs, sandals, dress shoes, boot-like shoes, and any heeled shoes are not appropriate types of footwear for **Physical Education** class. One way to always have your child prepared for class is to have an extra pair of tennis shoes kept in the classroom at school. This will ensure that your child will always be prepared for **Physical Education** class. Thanks for all your help, and we look forward to making exercise/health fun and exciting for your children. ** Sincerely, ** ** Mrs. Martinez & Ms. Dando ** ** Physical Education Teachers ** ** Gunnison Elementary School ** ** 970.641.7710 X5016 **
 * ** Fitness (heart health, etc.) **
 * ** Body Awareness ** (body parts and body shapes)
 * ** Spatial Awareness ** (moving through space by self and with others; moving in different directions; at different levels; and on different pathways)
 * ** Locomotor Movements ** (walk, run, hop, skip, jump, gallop, slide, leap)
 * ** Effort ** (moving with variations in force, speed, and smoothness/control-"flow")
 * ** Rhythmic Skills ** (move creatively to even/uneven rhythms)
 * ** Manipulative Skills ** (Throw, catch, strike, swing, push, pull)
 * ** Relationships ** (with self and objects; to partners; to groups)
 * ** Jumping and Landing ** (with jump ropes; from different heights, for distances)
 * ** Rolling, Balancing, and Weight Transfer **
 * ** Chasing, Fleeing, Dodging ** (skills used in tag and other group games)
 * ** Utilize Implements ** (bat, ball, racquet) **combined with motor skills to perform tasks**
 * ** Self Assessment and Formal Assessments ** (using pedometers and heart rate monitor)
 * ** Sportsmanship **
 * ** Cooperative Skills ** (working together in groups or with partners)

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