Health and Physical Education Framework

  • Health and PE 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.