Ingomar Elementary School

North Allegheny School District

Health and Physical Education Philosophy

The Health and Physical Education Department is committed to delivering a sequential, standards-based K-12 curriculum unified by four pillars of instruction:  Health and Physical Literacy, Physical Fitness, Nutrition, and Social and Emotional Health. Emphasis is placed on health literacy and the application of movement concepts, while providing instruction on the importance of being physically active. Activities will be incorporated into lessons that maximize student engagement and allow students to demonstrate their knowledge of fitness principles.  Wellness is woven throughout the curricula to provide students with information and experiences necessary to make independent choices that positively affect their health and well-being. Students experience a learning environment that is inclusive, respectful, safe, and equitable, while embracing uniqueness and diversity. The curriculum will inspire students to cultivate positive attitudes towards a lifetime of physical activity and wellness.  

Detailed Philosophy:

A quality Health and Physical Education Program supports the physical, intellectual, and social-emotional development of students. When students maintain adequate levels of physical fitness and make healthy choices, the conditions and opportunities for learning also increase. For these reasons, Health and Physical Education plays an integral role in a comprehensive educational program. To facilitate these optimal levels of wellness, the Health and Physical Education Department is committed to delivering a comprehensive, sequential curriculum K-12. This curriculum will engage and help inspire students to pursue a lifetime of fitness-related activities and healthy decisions.

The goal of the North Allegheny Physical Education program is to provide students with the knowledge and skills to value and apply physical activity and its benefits for a lifetime. Through active participation in movement and sport, students will foster an appreciation for personal fitness and other social skills vital to becoming a healthy, productive member of the community. Each lesson is carefully planned to maximize the amount of time students are engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity. The following K-12 curriculum strands will be used to meet this department goal: Adventure Education, Individual Activities, Aerobic Endurance, Muscular Fitness, Team Sports, and Creative Movement. In addition to this organizing framework, Fitness and Safety concepts are incorporated throughout all grade levels.

The goal of the North Allegheny Health program is to provide students with the skills and health literacy necessary to make informed decisions. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to address health concerns at various stages of development. Students are encouraged to achieve optimal health through recognizing health issues and applying preventative strategies to promote optimal wellness. By connecting academic content to real-life scenarios, students understand the impact of personal choices and external factors on individual health and the overall health of the community.

The North Allegheny Health and Physical Education Department is committed to providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to link health and physical education to the foundation of a healthy, productive, and fulfilling life. The emphasis on lifetime activities and the application of health-related content to real word situations will provide the basis for this goal. The role of individual responsibility in maintaining optimal wellness is stressed throughout the Health and Physical Education curricular content. The K-12 sequence of curriculum and instruction will allow students to apply their learning in developmentally appropriate settings.