Physical Education Department

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, a student must:

• Accumulate 3.5 credits (7 semesters) in physical education;

• Earn .5 credits (1 semester) of health education;

• Complete .5 credits (1 semester) of Driver Education classroom.

Special Note

• Physical Education in District 204 has been developed so as to assist each student to take responsibility for his or her own wellness, both now and through a meaningfully active lifetime.

• The 3.5 credits of physical education may be met by the traditional class offerings. Regardless of how the requirement is met, it is essential that every student understands that he or she must be taking a Physical Education class every semester of high school, with the single exception of the semester when he or she takes the required Health Education class.

• Driver Education is included in the Physical Education Department and is taken by most students during the sophomore year in addition to the semester-long health class and the semester of Physical Education. It does not negate the 7 required semesters of P.E., nor the 1 required semester of Health. It is taken in addition to both. A student may elect to take Driver Education from an accredited private agency. By presenting a certificate of completion, the graduation requirement will be met.

The course descriptions that follow serve as a guide to assist students in picking the classes that best suit their needs. We encourage parents to read all the descriptions carefully and to remain an active partner in their child’s education throughout his or her high school education. If you have any questions prior to registering, please call the Physical Education Department Chair of the high school.

Physical Education Graduation Check List

Graduation Requirements: To graduate, a student must accumulate 3.5 credits (7 semesters) in physical education; earn .5 credits (1 semester) of health education; complete .5 credits (1 semester) of Driver Education classroom.
 

Required Physical Education Courses

Freshman

Freshmen must take one of the following options for both semesters of their freshmen year.

How do I know which course to take?

Physical Education I
Physical fitness and knowledge of the importance of fitness for life form the basis of this class. Each student is taken through a series of units that lay the foundation for lifetime fitness. The purpose of the class is to develop the skills necessary upon which a student may establish an approach to fitness, which will allow him or her to enjoy a wide variety of sports and recreational activities. Students need to be forewarned that our district takes Physical Education seriously and student compliance with the rules of the program are mandatory. (One Credit)

Adapted Physical Education
If a student has special physical needs which would preclude him or her from participation in the course described above, then he or she may qualify for Adapted Physical Education. Adapted Physical Education gives students who cannot safely or successfully compete in the regular physical education program a chance to develop an appropriate fitness program for their needs. Placement into this class is done by the Physical Education Department in collaboration with the Special Education Department and/or medical documentation through the nurse’s office. Students in the class are often assisted by volunteer upperclassmen, called Peer Partners, who attend the class daily. (One credit)

Sophomore

Sophomores must take one semester of Physical Education II or Adapted Physical Education II as well as one semester of Health Education. In addition, most students meet the Driver Education Classroom graduation requirement by taking the semester-long Driver Education class during their sophomore year.

How do I know which course to take?

Physical Education II
If your child successfully completed Physical Education I, then he or she should continue his or her physical education by taking Physical Education II. This course continues the same approach to physical fitness as was begun the freshman year. Sophomore year is different in that it adds swimming as one of the units, stressing strong swimming skills and safety issues. Through the regimen of activities, the course will attempt to lay a basis that will allow students to evaluate and maintain their own personal fitness. (.5 credit)

Adapted Physical Education II
If a student has special physical needs which would preclude him or her from participation in Physical Education II, then he or she may qualify for Adapted Physical Education. Adapted Physical Education gives students who cannot safely or successfully compete in the regular physical education program a chance to develop an appropriate fitness program for their needs. Placement into this class is done by the Physical Education Department in collaboration with the Special Education Department and/or medical documentation through the nurse’s office. Students in the class are often assisted by volunteer upperclassmen, called Peer Partners, who attend the class daily. (.5 credit)

Health Education
By law, students must fulfill a health education graduation requirement and this is the class that most students take to fulfill that requirement. As parents, you may review course material used in the instruction of the units on male and female reproductive anatomy; human growth and development; abstinence; birth control; marriage and the family; and sexually transmitted diseases. Should a parent elect, the student will study alternative materials during the time allotted for each unit to which a parent objects. (.5 credit)

Driver Education – Classroom Phase (If Not Already Taken)
State law requires that students take one semester of classroom Driver Education. The vast majority of students fulfill this requirement during their sophomore year. Some wait until the junior year and some choose to take private driving instructions and waive this requirement. For those who don’t, students are scheduled by birth date priority. Classroom instruction is required for graduation and must be taken prior to or at the same time as the Behind-the-Wheel Phase; however, no student is guaranteed the “behind-the-wheel” driving-half of Driver Education during the same semester he or she takes the classroom phase. (.5 credit)

Junior

Juniors must take one of the following options for Physical Education III each semester of their junior year.

How do I know which course to take?

Physical Education III
Students who have successfully completed Physical Education II should continue their physical education by taking Physical Education III. The Physical Education Department feels that by the junior and senior years, students should be allowed to pick the activities in which they want to participate as they continue to develop their own personal fitness regimen. Each student will complete eight separate units through the year, four per semester from the following options: fitness, individual sports, team sports, aquatics and dance. Students are encouraged to try new activities as they develop their own fitness plan. (.5 credit)

Adapted Physical Education III
Students with special physical needs which would preclude them from participation in Physical Education III may qualify for Adapted Physical Education. Adapted Physical Education gives students who cannot safely or successfully compete in the regular physical education program a chance to develop an appropriate fitness program for their needs. Placement into this class is done by the Physical Education Department in collaboration with the Special Education Department and/or medical documentation through the nurse’s office. Students in the class are often assisted by volunteer upperclassmen, called Peer Partners, who attend the class daily. (.5 credit)

Driver Education – Classroom Phase (If Not Already Taken)
State law requires that students take one semester of classroom Driver Education. The vast majority of students fulfill this requirement during their sophomore year. Some wait until the junior year and some choose to take private driving instructions and waive this requirement. For those who don’t, students are scheduled by birth date priority. Classroom instruction is required for graduation and must be taken prior to or at the same time as the Behind-the-Wheel Phase; however, no student is guaranteed the “behind-the-wheel” driving-half of Driver Education during the same semester he or she takes the classroom phase. (.5 credit)

Senior

Seniors must take one of the following options for Physical Education IV each semester of their senior year.

How do I know which course to take?

Physical Education IV
Students who have successfully completed Physical Education III should continue their physical education by taking Physical Education IV. The Physical Education Department feels that by the junior and senior years, students should be allowed to pick the activities in which they want to participate as they continue to develop their own personal fitness regimen. Each student will complete eight separate units through the year, four per semester from the following options: fitness, individual sports, team sports, aquatics and dance. Students are encouraged to try new activities as they develop their own fitness plan. (.5 credit)

Adapted Physical Education IV
Students with special physical needs which would preclude them from participation in the course described above may qualify for Adapted Physical Education. Adapted Physical Education gives students who cannot safely or successfully compete in the regular physical education program a chance to develop an appropriate fitness program for their needs. Placement into this class is done by the Physical Education Department in collaboration with the Special Education Department and/or medical documentation through the nurse’s office. Students in the class are often assisted by volunteer upperclassmen, called Peer Partners, who attend the class daily. (.5 credit)

Driver Education—Classroom Phase (If Not Already Taken)
State law requires that students take one semester of classroom Driver Education. The vast majority of students fulfill this requirement during their sophomore year. Some wait until the junior year and some choose to take private driving instructions and waive this requirement. For those who don’t, students are scheduled by birth date priority. Classroom instruction is required for graduation and must be taken prior to or at the same time as the Behind-the-Wheel Phase; however, no student is guaranteed the “behind-the-wheel” driving-half of Driver Education during the same semester he or she takes the classroom phase. (.5 credit)

Electives

How do I know which course to take?

Any of the following electives, except Driver Education—Behind the Wheel, may be substituted for the required courses during junior and senior year. They may also be taken in addition to the required courses.

Advanced Dance (Grades 11,12)
Students with strong dance skills may choose to take this option for Physical Education. Some take it for a semester; others for the entire year. This course demands high-level dance skills and commitment to dance. It is a demanding course for serious dancers. Unlike other Physical Education options, students sign up for this class through their guidance counselors. This is not for the casual dancer. (.5 credit)

Advanced Health (Grades 11,12)
Students who wish to continue their health education have this opportunity to expand their current level of health and wellness. This course will introduce students to careers in health as it examines current issues in the world of personal wellness and health. (.5 credit)

CPR/First Aid/Lifeguarding (Grades 11,12)
This semester-long course meets before school in the pool area. Red Cross CPR/First Aid is examined for the first half of the course with lifeguarding taught during the second. Successful completion of the course will result in Red Cross certification in all three areas: CPR/First Aid/Lifeguarding. While the district is proud to offer this early morning option, students are required to supply their own transportation to this zero-hour class. No bus transportation will be available. Students may take this option only once. (.5 credit)

Driver Education—Behind-the-Wheel Phase (Grades 10,11,12)
The State of Illinois requires at least 30 hours of instruction if the student desires to obtain his or her driver’s license before turning eighteen. This is an option of which most students avail themselves.

Peer Partners (Grades 11,12)
Students with strong Physical Education skills may choose to fulfill their Physical Education requirement by serving as Peer Partners in the Adapted Physical Education classes. These students will continue to work on their own personal fitness plans while helping students with a variety of abilities develop and meet their own. This is a rewarding experience for the most dedicated students. (.5 credit)