Physical Activity and Physical Education
Physical activity is important for maintaining a health body, enhancing psychological well-being, and preventing premature death and disease. According to the past twenty-five years of research in the fields of Physical Education and Exercise Science, researchers have continuously identified that physical activity and exercise beginning in childhood and continuing throughout adulthood improves ones’ probability for a longer, healthier life. The national standards for physical fitness, exercise, nutritional information and mental health are constantly changing, consequently the Physical Education, Health and Wellness educators continue to evaluate and revise all levels of curriculum to improve our mission for the children of DLSISD.
Physical activity and exercise may take on various forms in the Physical Education classes in DLSISD. Health Education and Lifetime Wellness are two additional components that blend with our curriculum objectives included in daily lessons and activities. The educators in DLSISD teach according to the guidelines established in the TEKS and teachers collectively promote physical fitness and health concepts that apply to the lifelong process of becoming fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
FitnessGram® Assessment
The Texas Education Agency mandated annual fitness testing of all students grades 3rd-12th beginning in the 2007-08 school year. Each student will be assessed by the FitnessGram® components which were created by The Cooper Institute and selected by the state of Texas to be used for all students. The three components that are important to overall health and function include: aerobic activity, body composition; and muscular strength, flexibility, and endurance. Students may be tested anytime during the current school year and it will take place in a PE class for elementary students, while the secondary students may be tested in PE, athletics, dance, drill team, marching band or JROTC. Students not enrolled in those classes will be tested during a pre-determined time set by the campus principal. The FitnessGram® information is available at: www.fitnessgram.net