Health & Physical Education

Charles County Public Schools offers a K-12 program which complies with National and Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requirements for comprehensive skills-based health education and physical education to create programs of study that encompass the whole child.

The goal of K-5 health and physical education is to help students become responsible citizens who are both physically educated and health literate. Students will be able to display the skills and practices of a physically active lifestyle, while understanding the benefits of their choices which contributes to the growth and development of the physical, cognitive, and social domains. Students will achieve a mindset that values physical activity and the benefits in sustaining healthy lifestyles. Students will become enabled to develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a physically activity lifestyle while being able to maintain, or enhance, their own health and the wellness of others.

The physical education program is committed to embracing and respecting safe learning experiences for all students. To develop physical literacy, students will explore and investigate skills, concepts, and strategies through physical activity that cultivate confidence in movement for lifelong wellness. All students are expected to wear appropriate attire during physical education class for the purpose of ensuring the safety and hygiene of each participant. This practice continues to be an important component of the physical education program.

In elementary school,

• Students do not change clothes for physical education. Students should attend physical education prepared with clothing that permits safe and appropriate movement.
• Students should wear athletic footwear (sneakers) in physical education class for safety.

The State of Maryland requires all K-12 grade students to have access to physical education. Modifications can be made based on physical limitations or medical conditions of the student. The unique and specific needs of individuals with disabilities may require accommodations and strategies to provide effective instruction. Adapted Physical Education (APE) services support students when participating in general physical education with established curricula whenever appropriate.