Health • Physical Education • Interscholastic Sports • Seasonal Calendar

Health

Health 9
Health 9 is required for all freshmen. It includes one six-week unit about human sexuality and one six-week unit focusing on nutrition and healthy lifestyles.  

Human Sexuality: Students learn about human anatomy and physiology, as well as the psychological and social aspects of sexuality. Students study behaviors that maintain and improve relationships. Course content includes accurate information about and discussion of healthy sexual behavior and choices, STDs, conception and contraception, rape and sexual harassment, sexual orientation, homophobia, and HIV/AIDS. 

Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyles: Students examine answers to current questions about healthy living. Students learn how a well-balanced diet is important for maintaining good health and disease prevention. There is a particular focus on adolescent eating habits, especially junk foods and snacking. At the end of the unit, students use a computer program to analyze their eating habits over a three-day period. Results are compared to the Recommended Daily Allowance for their individual profiles.

Health 10: Social Influences of Behavior
Health 10 is required for all sophomores. Students learn that mental and physical health are essential to their future happiness, are not automatic, and must be actively maintained. Information about substance abuse issues, dealing with emotions, stress management skills, and communication with family and friends is introduced.

Physical Education

Lifetime Fitness
Lifetime Fitness is required for graduation; students are encouraged to complete the class during the freshman or sophomore year. This course provides an introduction to the components of physical fitness, including cardio-respiratory fitness, muscular strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, and agility. Each student maintains a personal exercise workout journal, tracks progress, assesses level of physical fitness, and sets personal goals.

Beginning Tennis
This course teaches students who are new to the game the fundamentals of tennis. Instruction will include the proper technique and key mechanical components to successfully hit forehands, backhands, serves, volleys, and overheads. Drills and team match play, rules, and etiquette are included.

CPR and First Aid
CPR and First Aid follows the American Red Cross syllabi for Adult CPR, AED, and first aid. The course is taught using videotapes and handbooks, and students will practice established procedures in dealing with emergencies in CPR, the automatic external defibrillator, and first aid. Students demonstrate competency in these procedures using mannequins and classmates to pass the certification. The course will cover the following: recognizing emergencies, personal protection, what to do before providing care, prioritizing care, rescue breathing, cardiac emergencies, choking, administering CPR and the AED, sudden illness, wounds, bleeding, burns, heat emergencies, and injuries to bones, muscles, and joints. At the end of each unit, students take a written examination for American Red Cross certification.

Outdoor Leadership and Adventure (OLA)
The program is a group-oriented effort to expose students to new skills and experiences associated with outdoor education. It is progressive and is designed so that individual sessions build on previous ones. Attendance at all events is important for success, for both the individual and the group. Activities include a ropes and challenge course, orienteering, GPS work, canoeing, rock climbing, Ultimate Frisbee, rappelling, ecology, hiking, route finding, and mountain biking. To meet a one-term PE requirement, a student must participate in 36 hours of OLA activities. There is one required weekend trip over the course of the term.

Independent PE
Independent PE credit is an option for students who are engaged in regular, coached athletics outside of school. Examples include club soccer, gymnastics, and dance. Students must apply to the PE department for this program and may complete coursework during the fall, winter, and/or spring trimesters, as well as over the summer. For guidelines on independent PE credit, click here.

Indoor and Outdoor Games
A selection of indoor and outdoor activities for individuals, partners, and teams are introduced.  Many of the activities are recreational and designed for fun as well as to sustain a lifelong interest. Students learn specific skills to develop their throwing, catching, kicking, hitting, and agility. Games include Ultimate Frisbee, flag football, bocce, touch rugby, soccer, golf, tennis, softball, matball, capture the flag, and dodgeball.

Rock Climbing
Students learn the basics of climbing and belay techniques, equipment maintenance, climbing safety, and risk assessment.

Ultimate Frisbee
Beginners and experienced frisbee players will improve their hand-eye coordination, enjoy some cardiovascular exercise, and build camaraderie in this spring-trimester intramural class. We will learn basic throws, the rules of the game, and strategies of field play. Players “compete” in two games on campus and may venture off campus for extra competition or a round of “frolf” (frisbee golf). 

SPARK:  Physical Activity for Your Brain
This course promotes overall wellness and mental health by reducing stress, increasing energy, and boosting self-confidence. Students begin each class with stretching exercises designed to raise core body temperature. Stretching is followed by 30 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity with the goal of maintaining a training heart rate of 70 to 80%. Activities include running or jogging, stair climbing, brisk walking, medicine ball relays, and the use of stationary aerobic machines. Heart monitors are used to track effort and heart rate.

Interscholastic Sports

Team sports are no-cut at Catlin Gabel; everyone is invited to participate, regardless of skill level or prior experience. Students have the opportunity to participate in many interscholastic sports, including:

Seasonal Calendar

PE, health, and sports at Catlin Gabel operate on a trimester schedule. The fall trimester runs from the first day of school to Thanksgiving break; the winter trimester runs from Thanksgiving to spring break; the spring trimester begins the day after spring break and ends on the last day of school. (Spring sports often begin practice before spring break.)