Academics

Departments

Physical Education

Main Number: (415) 334-0525   Fax Number: (415) 334-9726

Name/Title/Profile	E-mail	Ext.
Debbie Mathews Department Chair/Athletic Director/Teacher/MAA Moderator BA, Cal State University Chico		x217
Dr. Josie Maxwell Teacher Ed. D, University of San Francisco MBA, Notre Dame de Namur University MA, Santa Clara University BA, Santa Clara University   Adjunct Faculty Member: University of San Francisco, Notre Dame de Namur University		x336
Janine Nolfi Teacher/Dance Program Director MA, San Francisco State University BA, San Francisco State University Visit Mrs. Nolfi's Website		x251

 

Department Profile

Length

Two semesters needed for graduation = 10 credits (one semester during grades 9-10; one semester during grades 11-12)

 

Department Goals

• To acquire the skill fundamentals in the learning of attitudes which influence and affect wellness and health behavior.
• To develop resourcefulness, adaptability, and creativity in learning and living through a variety of physical activities.
• To develop physical fitness and good health.
• To develop a feeling of satisfaction from participating in various physical activities.
• To acquire the knowledge and skills needed to manage total fitness.
• To develop a feeling of self-worth through exploration and discovery to enhance self-image.
• To develop a positive self-concept through participating in various physical activities that will assist each student in assessing and realizing full potential.
• To develop the skills needed to evaluate personal fitness.
• To acquire the skills that will add to satisfaction and productivity in school and family life.
• To acquire the desirable attitudes, knowledge, skills, and behaviors that will promote daily aerobic exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
• To recognize career possibilities related to physical and health education.

 

Courses Offered

Physical Fitness For Life

This class includes a focus, not only on exercise and fitness, but on other important areas, including posture and body mechanics, diet, nutrition, recreation, the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as units on alcohol, drugs, and smoking. The students also engage in the following activities: stride walking, jogging, volleyball, basketball, hockey, weight training, jump rope activities, tumbling and plyometrics.

 

Self-Defense

Self-Defense is a one-semester course designed to give young women the confidence and the knowledge needed to prevent them from becoming victims. This course prepares the students physically through training and learning basic, effective self-defense techniques. Current health fitness and nutrition components are included to ensure a “total fitness” education. Students study social conditioning and the psychological tools which will enable them to become resisters.

 

Net.Com

This course is designed with the average-skilled student in mind. The main emphasis of the class will be on participation and recreational fun while learning to work together as a team. The course will take students through a variety of “net” sports and will be broken down into units, each lasting approximately two to three weeks. Students also will discover how to maintain healthy weight with proper diet and exercise and will concentrate on how to improve cardiovascular fitness. The sports that students will participate in will be badminton, basketball, floor hockey, newcombe, pickle ball, ping-pong, volleyball, and many more “net” sports.

 

Lifetime Fitness

This course was developed for the student who wishes to improve her overall fitness. Lifetime Fitness will evaluate the student’s fitness, outline a personalized program for improvement and introduce her to lifetime physical activities. Overall fitness will be improved through such activities as circuit training, weight training, water aerobics, low impact aerobic workout, running and walking, step aerobics and abdominal workouts. Students will learn how to develop and maintain healthy weight with diet and exercise.

 

Body Awareness

This course is a semester course designed to introduce students to various types of activities that will enhance body awareness. The purpose of the course is to have students experience activities that have the potential to spark interest in fitness, which in turn, will inspire a fitness regimen to their liking after this course is completed. Current health fitness, stress mapping and nutrition components are included to ensure a “total fitness” education. This course will be taught in units over the course of the semester and will include the following activities:

• Aerobics: Power walking (jogging, Tae-Bo, Jazzercise, step and water aerobics.
• Yoga: Introduction to basic postures.
• Meditation: Relaxation.
• Rhythmic Gymnastics: Balls, ribbons, and hoops.
• Tumbling: Basics: forward/backward rolls, cartwheels, round offs, handstands and pyramid building.
• Weight Training: Introduction to basic lifts.

 

Teaching Assistant In Physical Education

Students requesting to become a teaching assistant must have an interview with the department coordinator and the specific teacher they wish to assist. Students must pass a skills test and enroll in the class in which they will assist. The class does not fulfill the physical education requirement.