Health and Physical Education

Beginning Tennis

This elective 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. This course is graded Pass / No Pass. (Fall-semester course, after school)

Lifetime Fitness

Lifetime Fitness is a semester-long PE class that meets during the regular school day. 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. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be prepared to use our weight room independently. Students may take Lifetime Fitness a second time to meet their PE requirement. This course is graded Pass / No Pass. (Spring-semester course)

Musical Theater Dance Intensive

This semester will focus on dance for musical theater and developing material with a heavy dance focus. We will have a strong tap focus, in addition to jazz and other styles for musical theater. Dance skill development will take priority, along with exploring dance history in musical theater and choreography for musical theater. This class can be taken for either Arts or PE credit. If taken for PE credit, this course is graded Pass / No Pass. Open to all Upper School Students. (Fall-semester course)

Independent PE

Independent PE credit is an option for students engaged in regular, coached athletics outside of school. Examples include club soccer, gymnastics, and dance. Students must apply to the PE department using the application (see Appendix). Students may apply for credit for either fall or spring semester. The activity must last approximately 15 weeks for an average of seven hours or more each week, totaling at least 100 hours. A coach or supervisor other than a parent or friend will be asked to confirm that requirements have been met before credit is awarded. A student may only receive credit if the activity is not offered at Catlin Gabel during the term requested. It is not possible to combine two activities on an application.

PE Credit through Athletics

Students participating in Catlin Gabel athletics are eligible to receive one semester of PE credit at the end of their second season of competition. To receive credit, the student must have regular attendance to practices and games and participate fully as a member of the team. The coach verifies whether or not the student passes each season, and the Athletics department will confirm with the Registrar when credit should be awarded.

PE Credit through the Outdoor Program

Students engaged in 48 hours of Outdoor Ed trips may receive a semester PE credit. The Outdoor Program will track hours completed and notify the registrar when a credit should be awarded. Listed in each trip description of the outdoor program catalog are the number of hours each trip provides that can count toward your PE credit. In order to receive 0.5 PE semester credit, you need to reach 48 hours total (roughly three weekend trips during the year or one week-long trip during the summer). On the sign-up forms that come out each season, there will be a place for to indicate if you’d like to receive PE credit.

Health 9

Health 9 begins by helping students strategize about goals regarding healthy self-care habits (adequate sleep, nutrition, exercise, etc.) as they transition to Upper School. We will give thoughtful consideration to identity formation, including biological sex, gender, gender expression, and sexuality, celebrating diversity in each of these categories. Our studies of reproductive health will provide a medically accurate base of knowledge for keeping all bodies safe and healthy, inclusive of all genders and sexual orientations. Using our understanding of anatomy, we will compare methods of contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). We will discuss the nuances of sexual decision making and consent to encourage health and respect in intimate or sexual relationships. Through discussions and scenarios, we will explore how to recognize and report abuse in intimate or sexual relationships as well as in other human interactions. Finally, we will provide an overview of brain development and how the brain and body respond to drugs (with a focus on tobacco/vaping products, alcohol, and marijuana), discussing harm reduction strategies while encouraging abstinence from illegal drug use. This course is graded Pass / No Pass and is worth one semester credit.
(Spring-semester course)

Health 10

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. This course is graded Pass / No Pass. (Fall or spring semester course)