PHYSICAL EDUCATION INFORMATION SHEET

Dear Parents:

Welcome to another exciting year of Physical Education here at St. John’s.  My name is Sue Bak.  I am so glad to have your child in my Physical Education class.  This is my 23^nd year of teaching Physical Education at St. John of the Cross.  I love teaching here at SJC.  My goal is to provide your child with a positive learning experience while introducing them to a variety of lifetime fitness activities and instruction. I WANT THEM TO BE PHYSICALLY EDUCATED.  The National Association for Sport and Physical Education defines a physically educated person as one whom:

·        Has learned skills necessary to perform a variety of physical activities

·        Is physically fit

·        Does participate regularly in physical activity

·        Knows the implications of and the benefits from involvement in physical activities

·        Values physical activity and its contribution to a healthful lifestyle

My program focuses on developing your child mentally, physically, and socially through a variety of innovative activities and instruction.  I hope your child will develop an appreciation for physical activity, and continue to be active for a lifetime.      

 PHYSICAL EDUCATION EXPECTATIONS:

  1.   Do your best at all times.

  2.   Cooperate with the teacher, partner or group.

  3.   Listen to and follow directions the first time.

  4.   Work hard to improve.

  5.   Come dressed with gym shoes ready to be active.

  6.   Have a positive attitude.

  7.   Take turns and share.

  8.   Follow rules and safety procedures.

  9.   Treat others with respect.

10. Have fun.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

I would like to invite you to visit our physical education class where you will see your child participating in a quality physical education program, the cornerstone for developing an active lifestyle.  I would love to have help in all of my preschool through 2^nd grade classes.  If you haven’t signed up yet to volunteer please contact me via email or phone.  You will see children participating in developmentally appropriate activities that will increase their physical competence, self esteem, and joy of being physically active no matter what their physical activities may be.

AM  Preschool 4's and Kindergarten      PE on Wednesdays
PM  Preschool 4's and  Kindergarten     PE on Mondays
All 1st grades         PE on  Wednesday afternoons and Thursday mornings
All 2nd grades        PE on Tuesday afternoons and Friday mornings
All 3rd grades         PE on Thursday  and Friday afternoons
All 4th grades         PE on Monday and Tuesday mornings

PHYSICAL EDUCATION REMINDERS

Don’t forget all students must have gym shoes and socks to participate.  All Kindergarten and preschool students should wear shorts or pants.  Girls wearing skirts or dresses should have shorts on underneath.  Short sleeve shirts are recommended.  On cooler days send a short sleeve shirt under sweaters or sweatshirts.  Water bottles (labeled with name and room number) are also recommended,

Students in 2^nd through 4^th grades will wear their summer school uniforms during PE so we have more movement time. When we go to regular school uniforms we will start changing into our green PE uniform.

I would welcome any outgrown girls shorts in small sizes as extras when my younger students forget and wear dresses to class. Outgrown green SJC shorts are always welcome.    Please send them to the school office and I will get them. If your child wears my shorts home, please wash them and return the next day.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AT HOME

         During this school year, I would like to encourage you to participate in your child’s physical development.

 As a parent you can encourage your child to engage in more physical activity after school and on the weekends.  Playing with your child will not only motivate the child to be more active, but it will increase your own personal physical activity: that is a win-win situation! Children need a minimum of at least 60 minutes of Physical Activity every day and what better way than playing together.  Go for a walk, take a bike ride or toss a ball.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION CALENDAR/PUZZLE

Each month I will send home a PE calendar.  Encourage your child to do the activities and return the calendar at the end of the month with your signature.  I will randomly choose 3- 4 students from those who returned their calendars to take home a PE bag of equipment to play with at home for a week.  The students love bringing home the stilts, juggling scarves, stacking cups, jump ropes and other assorted equipment home.  If you lose your calendar you can print up another one from the school website.  This month you can print out a word search for physical activity words used to help build your child’s physical education vocabulary.  Once those words are found, students will find a very important phrase they need to know for good health. 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION COLORING PAGE

Parents can download a PE coloring page for our younger students.  The most important coordination skill taught to early elementary school children is hand-eye coordination.  Coloring is a wonderful ways for kids to explore colors, practice grip strength and manipulate writing implements as they improve their hand-eye coordination.

FINAL THOUGHTS      

Thank you for partnering with our physical education program to develop your child’s lifetime health and fitness.   By working together we can bring the joy and health of physical activity to your child and family. I am looking forward to an exciting,  productive and healthy school year.   Please don’t hesitate to contact me at 708-292-1110 or email me at bak@sjc.pvt.k12.il.us., if you have any questions or if you would like to volunteer in any of my classes.  I look forward to teaching your child this year.

Yours in fitness,

Mrs. Sue Bak