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Policies » Section I: Instruction » IMAH: Daily Physical Activity

Policy Date: 01/30/2020

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CSD File: IMAH
CANDIA SCHOOL DISTRICT
DAILY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

1.Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to promote increased physical activities for students in grades K–8 and to help students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to perform a variety of physical activities, maintain physical fitness, regularly participate in physical activity, understand the short and long-term benefits of physical activity, and value and enjoy physical activity as an ongoing part of a healthful lifestyle. In addition, the Candia School District encourages the staff to participate in and model physical activity as a valuable part of daily life.

2.Rationale
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, regular physical activity is one of the most important things people can do to maintain and improve their physical health, mental health, and overall well-being. Additionally, regular physical activity prevents adverse health consequences of childhood obesity and reduces the risk of premature death in general and of cardiovascular disease, stroke, high blood pressure, colon cancer, and Type II Diabetes in particular. Promoting a physically active lifestyle among young people is important because:
A.Through its effects on mental health, physical activity can help increase students’ capacity for learning and academic success;
B.Physical activity has substantial health benefits for children and adolescents, including favorable effects on endurance capacity, mental health, muscular strength, body weight, and blood pressure; and
C.Positive experiences with physical activity at a young age help lay the foundation for being regularly active throughout life.

3.Definitions
For the purposes of this policy:
A.”Extracurricular and co-curricular activities” refers to school-sponsored voluntary programs that supplement regular education and contribute to the educational objectives of the school.
B.”Health-related physical fitness” refers to cardio respiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition.
C.”Interscholastic athletics” refers to organized individual and team sports that involve more than one school.
D.”Intramurals” refers to physical activity programs that provide opportunities for all students to participate in sports, fitness, and recreational activities within their own school.
E.”Developmentally appropriate daily physical activity” means physical activity that is suitable for the cognitive age and individual characteristics of students.
F.”Physical education” refers to the program of physical education in Ed 306.
G.”Recess” refers to regularly scheduled periods within the school day for unstructured physical activity and play.
H.“Chronic inactivity” means an ongoing sedentary lifestyle.
I.“Other related health problems” means:
Physical illnesses;
Psychological illnesses; and
Injuries
J.“Childhood obesity” means the term used to describe children and teenagers ages 2-20who are considered overweight because their body mass index as defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is greater than or equal to the 95th percentile.

4.Components of Policy
School leaders are encouraged to develop and implement a plan that supports physical activity and that may include, but not be limited to the following:
A. A sequential physical education program that involves moderate to vigorous physical activity on a scheduled basis; teaches knowledge, motor skills, self-management skills, and positive attitudes; promotes activities and sports that students enjoy and can pursue throughout their lives; and is coordinated with the health education curriculum;
B.Time in the elementary school day for supervised recess with physical activities encouraged;
C.Opportunities and encouragement for students to initiate and voluntarily participate in before and after-school physical activity programs, such as intramurals, clubs, and interscholastic athletics;
D.School support for community recreation and youth sports programs and agencies that complement physical activity programs;
E.Opportunities for staff to be physically active;
F.Provisions for acquiring adequate resources to include funding, personnel, appropriate equipment and facilities;
G.Strategies to involve family members in program development and implementation; and
H.Strategies to encourage parents and/or guardians to support their children’s participation in physical activities and to be positive role models for active life styles.

The program should attempt to make effective use of school and community resources and to equitably serve the needs of interested students and staff, taking into consideration differences of gender, cultural norms, physical and cognitive abilities, and fitness levels. Additionally, a school’s developmentally appropriate daily physical activity program as recommended by Ed 310 shall be in addition to and shall not be a replacement for the physical education program requirement in Ed 306 and/or the Candia School District’s policies regarding physical education, extra or co-curricular, intramural, and/or interscholastic athletics programs.

Schools may work with recreation agencies and other community organizations to coordinate and enhance opportunities available to students and staff for physical activity during their out-of-school time. Schools are encouraged to negotiate mutually acceptable, fiscally responsible arrangements with community agencies and organizations to keep school-owned or district-owned facilities open for use by students, staff, and community members during non-school hours and vacations. School policies concerning safety shall apply at all times.

Legal Reference:
Ed 306.04(a)(17), Daily Physical Activity, Ed 306.04(l), Daily Physical Activity, Ed 310, Daily Physical Activity

Adopted: August 4, 2005
Revised: June 5, 2008
Reviewed: January 30, 2020