| The School Board of Collier County |
| Bylaws & Policies |
2280 - PHYSICAL EDUCATION
The School Board recognizes the value of physical education to the maintenance of the health and vitality of all students, as well as to the development of life-long habits that will enhance personal fitness and wellness and has available to students one-on-one counseling concerning the benefits of physical education.
Therefore, it shall be the policy of the Board that instruction in physical education shall be available to all students in Pre-Kindergarten. Students in kindergarten through grade five (5) shall be provided 150 minutes of physical education, as defined in Florida statutes, each week. Students in grade six who are enrolled in a school with students in Kindergarten through grade five shall also be provided 150 minutes of physical education as defined in Florida statutes each week.
Beginning with the 2009-2010 school year, students in grades six through eight are required to complete one (1) class period for one (1) semester per school year of physical education.
Students in grades nine (9) through twelve (12) shall be required to earn a minimum of one (1) credit in physical education which includes Health.
Physical education instruction shall include activities requiring at least a moderate level of physical exertion and duration sufficient to provide a health benefit for the participants. When planning the required activities, the instructor shall consider the different capabilities of the students and adapt the plans accordingly.
Furthermore, the outcomes of the physical education program in this District shall stress physical fitness and encourage the development of a healthy, active life style. Specific grade level outcomes shall be established annually in each school's school improvement plan.
The District shall notify student's parents of the options available to waive participation in physical education prior to the placement of physical education on a student's schedule. A student must meet one (1) of the following criteria to be available for waiver from the required physical education class:
| A. | the student is enrolled or required to enroll in a remedial course; | |
| B. | the student's parent indicates in writing to the school that: |
| 1. | the parent requests that the student enroll in another course from among those courses offered as options by the School District; or | ||
| 2. | the student is participating in physical activities outside the school day which are equal to or in excess of the mandated requirement. |
Provision shall be made at all levels to excuse individual students from specific activities if direction to do so is received, in writing, from the student's physician.
Students may be excused from specific activities if those activities are contrary to their religious beliefs. A request to excuse a student from such activities must be received in writing from the student's parent or from the eligible student.
If one (1) of the above criteria is met and the parent has notified the District, the student will not have physical education placed on their schedule for that ensuing school year.
F.S. 1003.455
Revised 11/20/08