Welcome! It is my goal through our physical education classes to help all of my students to develop a positive "can do" attitude toward physical activity and to enjoy participating in it. I hope that they will discover it is both fun and good for mind and body. Beyond that, it is in keeping with the Mission Statement of our school that seeks to educate and develop our students spiritually, intellectually, and physically.

My strategy is to plan and execute activities at all levels that are fun and individually challenging yet permit successful participation for all participants. This can be achieved by keeping competition low key and using all inclusive games and activities. The physical development of children varies widely with age, and the focus of my P.E. classes is to accommodate these needs. I emphasize the importance of cooperation, putting forth one's best personal effort, and perseverance in the face of difficulty. I expect the students in all of my classes to accept each others physical differences and to practice good sportsmanship, tolerance, and respect toward each other.

The curricula for grades K through 8 follow the Philadelphia Archdiocesan P.E. Guidelines.

Finally, I would like to leave you with some thoughts on game playing:

"Game playing teaches the 'rules of life'. Games teach participants how to work together and how to help others. Through game play, children can act out real-life situations learning how to solve problems, look for alternatives, and resolve conflicts. They learn to take turns, act cooperatively, and be encouraging. By following the rules of a game, children learn how to work within defined guidelines and to accept the consequences when they do not. Game situations help children to accumulate life-skills that will prove to be invaluable during their later years when they must deal with work and adult relatioships." (Guy Bailey in The Ultimate Playground and Recess Game Book)