Health, PE & Aquatics

Overview

Physical Education (PE)

As an integral part of the total education program, Physical Education promotes the growth, health and development of each individual physically, mentally and socially.

Beginning the 2021-22 school year, in order to complete graduation requirements, all students must participate in and earn a minimum of 0.5 credits of Physical Education their 9th-grade year. Beginner swimmers will also be required to swim in the first semester of their 10th-grade year for 0.25 credit. (See "PE for Athletes Committee and Study" below for more on adjustments made to PE requirements during 2020.)

Physical Education will operate as an elective in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades with the exception of those students that tested into Beginner Swimming in 9th grade. Radnor High School believes swimming is a life skill that every student should have before they graduate for their own safety.

Aquatics

Radnor High School's natatorium allows the school to offer a semester of swimming to 10th graders and various aquatic selective courses for 11th and 12th graders. Tenth grade swimming is integrated into the 10th-grade PE course and is required for all 10th-graders, while the selective offerings are only available for 11th- and 12th-grade students.

Ninth-grade students will take a swim test during their 9th-grade year for swim level placement. If a student places at the advanced level, he/she will be allowed to choose from the following PE electives in lieu of Advanced Swimming: Personal Training and Physical Fitness, Lifeguarding and CPR, Swimming Selective and Fitness for Athletes. If any student does not pre-test into a swim level, he/she will be automatically placed in Beginner Swimming for safety purposes.

Courses

9th Grade

Ninth Grade Health & Wellness

1.0 Credit (0.5 Health/0.5 PE); Unweighted
Length: Year; Format: Meets Daily
Grade(s): 9The ninth grade course focuses on transitioning our students to the high school with an integrated Health and Wellness course. The health component includes units on Study Skills, Stress and Stress Management, Time Management, Goal-setting, Character Development, Learning Strategies specific to each student, and Mental Health. Mental Health topics include: Responsible-Decision Making, Peer Pressure, Resistance Skills, Emotions and Conflict Resolution. The Wellness component includes units that focus on team sports, cooperative play and an introduction to weight training. Students will participate in a swim test at the end of the year to determine their tenth grade placement for swimming. If a student places at the advanced level, they will be allowed to choose from the following PE electives in lieu of Advanced Swimming: Personal Training and Physical Fitness, Lifeguarding and CPR, Swimming Selective and Fitness for Athletes.

10th Grade

Tenth Grade Health

0.5 Credit; Unweighted
Length: Year; Format: Cycle Days
Grade(s): 10

The tenth-grade health component is a continuation of the ninth grade health class. It complements the Mental Health unit and enriches character development while focusing on other topics. Topics include: Nutrition, Chemical Choices, Sexuality and CPR/First Aid and Safety. One outcome of this course is for each student to be CPR certified by the American Red Cross.

Tenth Grade Swimming

0.25 Credit; Unweighted
Semester: Year; Format: Cycle Days
Grade(s): 10

The swimming component is divided into two levels; beginner and intermediate. These levels will be assessed during their ninth-grade year. If a student places at the advanced level, they will be allowed to choose from the following PE electives in lieu of Advanced Swimming: Personal Training and Physical Fitness, Lifeguarding and CPR, Swimming Selective and Fitness for Athletes. The semester of physical activity in the gym includes units based on team sports and life-time activities.

PE Electives

Team Sports Option

0.5 Credit; Unweighted
Length: Year; Format: Meets on Cycle Days
Grade(s): 11, 12

This option will focus on the techniques, tactics, and dynamics of a variety of team sports. Cardiovascular fitness and positive group interactions will be developed through team activity. Students choosing this option should expect to participate in a safe and competitive environment to challenge them individually while working collectively with teammates towards a unified goal. Activities may include floor hockey, basketball, soccer, handball, speedball, rugby, flag football, flag games, softball, volleyball, ultimate Frisbee, and others.

Individual and Dual Sports

0.5 Credit; Unweighted
Length: Year; Format: Meets on Cycle Days
Grade(s): 11, 12

This option will focus on the techniques, tactics and dynamics of a variety of individual, dual and fitness activities. Cardiovascular fitness and positive group interactions will be developed through individual or partner activities. Students choosing this option should expect to focus on self challenge in a safe and encouraging environment. Activities may include tennis, badminton, golf, archery, bowling, self-defense, dance, rollerblading, cross-country skiing, biking, fitness/circuit training, weight training, power walking, Tai Chi, Pilates, and yoga.

Selective PE Weight Training

0.5 Credit; Unweighted
Length: Year; Format: Meets on Cycle Days
Grade(s): 11, 12

The major emphasis of the course is placed on muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and body composition. Students will be able to create their own work-out programs tailored to their specific needs. Students will also be able to rehab current injuries, and create a more flexible schedule when in a current sports season.

Lifeguarding and CPR

Lifeguarding & CPR

0.5 Credit; Unweighted
Length: Year; Format: Meets on Cycle Days
Grade(s): 10, 11, 12
Prerequisite(s): Swim 12 laps without stopping. Retrieve a 10 lb. brick from deep end and swim 20 yards on return, sophomores must also test at the advanced level on the swim test.

This class offers a complete Lifeguard Training Course that includes First Aid and CPR/AED. Students must pass all practical and written requirements to receive their American Red Cross Lifeguard Training Certificate.

Adaptive Physical Education

0.5 Credit; Unweighted
Length: Year; Format: Meets on Cycle Days
Teacher Recommendation

The Adaptive Physical Education program is designed to meet individual needs of the student and focuses on students’ abilities in indoor, outdoor, and aquatic environments. Teachers and students work together to develop and set appropriate individual goals. Activities include adapted manipulative patterns, adapted locomotor movements, adapted perceptual-motor skills, and adapted physical fitness.

PE for Athletes Committee and Study (2020)

Purpose

The purpose of the Physical Education (PE) for Athletes Committee was to examine the Radnor High School PE requirements for students in the state of Pennsylvania, discuss best practices, and identify what other high schools are providing to their students in the area of Health and PE. The goal was to ensure high levels of engagement and wellness for students at Radnor High School. This thorough review helped to provide clarity on opportunities to enhance the high school program.

Study Progress and Results

January 18, 2022

Supported by the work of the PE for Athletes Committee, three new 0.5-credit PE courses developed by staff and administration for recommended inclusion in the 2022-23 RHS Program of Studies were discussed at the January 18 Board Curriculum Committee meeting: Mindful Fitness (PDF); PE Majors Honors (PDF); and Athletic Performance Training (PDF). The new courses, along with the complete 2022-23 Program of Studies, was moved along to the full Board for recommended approval at the January 25 business meeting.

June 22, 2021

November 24, 2020

The administration presented the findings of the PE for Athletes Committee and administrative recommendations at the Board Business meeting. The Board approved the reduction of the Physical Education requirement for students at Radnor High School from 2.0 credits to .5 credit. Students who cannot pass a basic swimming test will also be required to take a beginner swimming course for .25 credit. This action was in response to the work of the P.E. for Athletes Committee.

Watch the Meeting

November 17, 2020

Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning Dan Bechtold, RHS Principal PT Kevgas, and RHS Health and PE Department Chair Amy Roseland presented recommended changes to RHS Health and PE requirements to the Curriculum Committee. Students at RHS would continue to have 1.0 credits of Health, and would have 0.5 or 0.75 credits of PE that would be required. The department is working to eliminate under-attended courses and create three new PE electives for upperclassmen in response to student feedback.

View RHS PE Requirements Summary

Fall 2020

July 28, 2020

Administration recommended that the Board approve the elimination of the Physical Education requirement for students in grades 10, 11 and 12 in order to provide for lower class sizes and provide additional locations to address the need for social distancing at Radnor High School. This action was in response to COVID-19 and considered the recent work of the P.E. for Athletes Committee. The Board approved this recommendation for the 2020-21 school year.

Watch the Meeting

Summer 2020

June 2, 2020

January 29, 2020

At the first meeting of the RTSD Physical Education for Athletes Committee, committee members introduced themselves; discussed the goals, purpose, and history of PE in the United States; reviewed a handout from the CDC, "Supporting Quality Physical Education and Physical Activity in Schools;" reviewed the current RTSD graduation requirements and Radnor High School PE offerings; and discussed strengths and areas for possible improvement.

March 12, 2020

The PE for Athletes Committee met for the third time and reviewed the group progress to date. The committee then analyzed the results of a survey administered to students at RHS regarding their experience with PE at RHS and preferences for new courses. The group discussed options for revamping the RHS PE offerings based on student survey results and provided feedback to administration.

February 12, 2020

At the second meeting of the RTSD Physical Education for Athletes Committee, committee members recapped the January 29 meeting; reviewed Pennsylvania academic standards for PE; and investigated how other schools/districts in the state such as Downingtown, Lower Merion, Strath Haven and North Allegheny implement their PE program through a review of associated materials and small and large group discussions.

Committee Members

Jeff Jubelirer - RTSD School Board Member
Dan Bechtold - Chair, Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning
Doug Kent - Health and PE Curriculum Supervisor, Radnor Middle School Asst. Principal
PT Kevgas - Radnor High School Principal
Amy Roseland - RHS Teacher
Tom Ryan - RHS Teacher
Jeannie Semar - RHS Counselor
Kyle Shilcock-Elliott - RHS Teacher
Ed McCallion - RMS Teacher
Brock Tracy - Wayne Elementary School Teacher
Patti Bauer - RHS Parent
Robert Esgro - RHS/RMS Parent
Laura Getty - RHS Parent
Megan Jonnson - RHS Parent
Ylva Kelsall - RHS Parent
Tom Le - RHS Parent
Kristen Ressler - RHS Parent
Danielle Horatius - RMS/Radnor Elemenary School Parent
Jenny Addis - RHS Student
Dean Aljian - RHS Student
Tori DeCarlo - RHS Student
Katie DeShan - RHS Student
Colin Lane - RHS Student
Mark McKeon - RHS Student