We will run and not grow weary for our Lord will be our strength" 

The general goal for the elementary physical education program at St. Pats is to develop a   sequential, developmental, age appropriate program designed to provide students with the knowledge and ability need to maintain an active, healthy life style.
Learning the basic movement skills and knowledge in physical education helps you child feel good about moving which in turns encourages them to be active and healthy. Your child will feel better about their ability to participate in recreational activities; be more successful if they choose to compete in youth sports; and find it easier to accept themselves and be accepted by theirs peers. Their success in physical education impacts their success in school!

The philosophy of P.E. at St. Pats is that "everyone can participate, challenge themselves, and be successful at their own level". Competition will be de-emphasized: however, normal competition is an inherent part of American life and can be an element on a child's intrinsic motivation to do his or her best in any physical activity. This is where teamwork and cooperation can be valuable learning experiences.

In physical education class this year, a child in grades K-3 will learn and continue to refine skills and concept centered on the following themes:
· 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)
· Effort (Moving with variation in force, speed and control
· Relationships (with self and object; to partners; to groups)
· Locomotor Movements (walk, run, hop, skip, jump, gallop, slide, leap)
· Chasing, Fleeing, Dodging (skill used in tag and other group games
· Dribbling with Hands
· Kicking
· Throwing and Catching
· Fitness

Activities in the above are put into the context of appropriate games, dance and rhythms. They are sequenced with your child's abilities in mind, with the end result to help your child learn to be successful in these situations.

Activities for children in 4 and 5 will focus on having students work on combining the basic skills and concept on this page together into more advance and dynamic activities.  Once again, these are centered on games, dance and rhythms and having success and learning for all students, rather than winning and competition, as their focus.

Please be aware of the following guidelines for physical education:
· If your child needs to be excused from physical education activities please write a note to me and have your child bring it to PE class.
· If a doctor limits physical education participation in part, please ask them to be specific as to the amount of activity or what your child can/cannot do. As well as when they are able to resume participation.
For your child's safety, your child will not be allowed to participate without proper footwear in physical education. Proper footwear includes tennis-type/sneaker shoes. 

Draft Health and Fitness Grade Level Expectations
(from OSPI website)

• Grades K-2 and 3-5 (Word)
• Grades 6-8 (Word)
• Grades 9-10 (Word)