Beginning of Year Parent Letter

Dear Parent and/or Guardian:

My name is Candi Schuelke. I will be your son or daughter's physical education teacher this year.   As this new school year begins, I would like to remind you about the importance of your child’s physical activity education. The percentage of overweight youth has more than tripled in the past 25 years partially due to increased interest in sedentary activities such as television, computers, and video games. A reduction in physical activity as well as an increase in caloric intake has contributed to an obesity epidemic.

It is a well-documented fact that Americans become increasingly less active as they age. Just as children and youth can learn the habit of regular physical activity, they can learn to be inactive if they are not taught skills and given opportunities to be active during their childhood.

Physical activity education in school physical education programs is the cornerstone of an active lifestyle for all students. School programs provide the skills, knowledge and attitudes that facilitate choosing physical activity after school, at home and in the community. As a highly-qualified physical education teacher, I pledge to:

• Establish a positive, safe learning environment for all students
• Teach a variety of physical activities that make physical education class fun and enjoyable
• Create maximum opportunities for students of all abilities to be successful
• Promote student honesty, integrity and good sportsmanship
• Guide students into becoming skillful and confident movers
• Facilitate the development and maintenance of physical fitness
• Assist students in setting and achieving personal goals
• Provide specific, constructive feedback to help students master motor skills
• Afford opportunities for students to succeed in cooperative and competitive situations
• Prepare and encourage students to practice skills and be active for a lifetime

This school year I would like to invite you to visit our physical education class. You will see children participating in developmentally appropriate activities that will help increase their physical competence, self-esteem and joy of being physically active no matter what their physical abilities may be. By enhancing your children’s physical activity education, I am certain we will be able to help your children enjoy a lifetime of physical activity and good health. I welcome your support!

Also, please be aware of the following guidelines for physical education:

1. If your child needs to be excused from physical education activities, please write a note to me and have your child bring it to me either at the beginning of the day or when PE class begins.

2. If doctor limits physical education participation in part, please ask them to be specific as to the amount of activity or what your child can/cannot do, as well as when they are able to again fully participate in class.

3. For your child's safety as well as the liability involved, your child will NOT be allowed to participate without proper footwear in physical education. Proper footwear includes tennis-type/sneaker shoes--those with a flat bottom (no heel) and the foot fully covered. Clogs, sandals, dress shoes, boot-like shoes, and any heeled shoes are NOT appropriate types of footwear for physical education class, and your child will not be able to participate in that day's activities if these type of shoes are worn. One way to always have your child be prepared for class is, if they have an extra pair of sneakers, is to keep them in their locker or classroom during the week.

Also, so that I may best help your child, please fill out the form below if your child has any medical or other condition which may affect their participation in physical education. Please have your child RETURN THIS TO ME DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL. Thanks for all your help, and I look forward to helping your child learn this year.

Sincerely,

Candi Schuelke
Physical Education Teacher
Bluebonnet Elementary School

The participation of my child _______________________________in physical education may be limited due to the following (please indicate being specific):

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Parent’s Signature______________________________________

Child’s Name__________________________________________

Child’s Teacher________________________________________

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