HEALTH EDUCATION

Health education provides a means to develop and maintain healthy lifestyles and good decision making. The goals of the courses are to introduce and explain the concept of wellness; provide current information on health issues; assist the student in developing a balanced lifestyle through understanding of the inter-relatedness of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual realms in making a healthy individual; provide an opportunity for students to examine and evaluate their personal relationships; and provide opportunities for the development of decision-making, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.

PHILOSOPHY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Physical Education contributes significantly to the growth, development, and well-being of children and is affirmed in the school's mission and philosophy statements. The "learning through movement" aim of our program is based on the National Physical Educational Standards developed by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. Because movement is at the very center of adolescents' lives, it permeates all facets of their behavioral development - the psycho-motor, cognitive, and affective domains. In addition, Abington Friends School is concerned with giving students sound lifetime skills and attitudes through a series of developmentally organized levels of physical education instruction. The AFS Physical Education department provides a variety of enjoyable and challenging activities. Instructors will regularly assess each student's participation, attitude, behavior, and skill development.

All fitness activities and game strategies are based on standards established to ensure a physically educated person:

• has learned skills necessary to perform a variety of physical activities
• is physically fit
• participates regularly in physical activity
• knows the critical importance of involvement in physical activity
• values physical activity and its contributions to a healthy lifestyle

COURSE OFFERINGS

PHYSICAL EDUCATION (Minor course, meets 2 days a week for one semester in grades 9 and 10)

HEALTH EDUCATION (Minor course, meets 2 days a week for one semester in grades 9 and 10)
(Special programs for eleventh and twelfth grades)