Strength and Conditioning-In this semester class, students participate in a variety of activities to improve their motor skills. Students set fitness goals designed to improve their strength, quickness and conditioning. Students evaluate their progress and identify exercises to reach their performance goals and maximize their progress and improvement. Students identify nutritional goals to enhance their understanding of health and diet and how they contribute to their overall fitness.

Students begin by evaluating the health and fitness goals to promote optimal wellness. Students participate in a variety of aerobic activities; such as cycling, pilates, yoga, tae bo, tai chi, power walking, water aerobics, jogging, step aerobics, cardio boot camp, circuit training, jump roping and stress reduction to maximize cardiovascular fitness. Students participate in a pretest and post test to determine aerobic fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and body composition. Using the National Standards for Physical Fitness, students pretest on the five fitness categories and set goals based on the results. At the end of the semester, students post test to measure the results of their goals. Students gain competence and confidence in their abilities as leaders. Through participating in group activities, students develop skill in cooperation and sportsmanship. Throughout the course, the concept of lifelong fitness is emphasized.

PREREQUISITES: To be eligible for Lifeguard courses, the participants must be 15 years of age on or before the final scheduled session of this course. The participants must successfully complete the following: 1. Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used. 2. Starting in the water, swim 20 yards using front crawl or breaststroke, surface dive 7-10 feet, retrieve a 10 pound object, return to the surface, swim 20 yards back to the starting point with the object and exit the water without using a ladder or the steps. Students have 1 minute and 40 seconds to complete the task. Swim goggles are not allowed. When returning to the starting point, the participant must hold the 10 pound object with both hands, placing the brick on his/her chest, and must keep his/her face above water. The participant can swim on his/her back using an elementary back stroke kick or rotary (egg beater) kick. The participant must exit the water using his/her strength. The time is complete once the participant has exited the water and is standing on the pool deck Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits. The primary purpose of the Red Cross Lifeguard program is to provide entry level lifeguard candidates with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to emergencies in and around the water and to provide care for injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel arrive and take over. CPR, First Aid and use of an AED are included. There is a $35 fee for those students who wish to be tested for Lifeguard certification.

This one semester health course assists students in making independent, informed decisions concerning their physical, mental and emotional well-being. The students become actively engaged in a course that integrates classroom instruction and relevant application of concepts. An individualized behavioral and fitness profile introduces the concepts of total wellness as students develop their personal goals within the course throughout their lives. The health components emphasize goal setting, decision making, and advocacy skills directly associated with adolescent risk behaviors. Building on the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom, students utilize the appropriate strategies in a variety of relevant applications while gaining competence and confidence in their abilities. Throughout the course the concept of lifelong optimal wellness is reinforced and applied.

This semester wellness program assists students in making independent, informed decisions concerning their physical, mental and emotional well-being. Students actively engage in a course that integrates classroom instruction and physical activity. An individualized behavioral and fitness profile introduces the concepts of total wellness as students develop their personal goals within the course and throughout their lives. In addition to the unit on personal fitness, students learn and apply skills and rules in a variety of sports; including swimming, tennis, basketball and soccer. The classroom health units include nutrition; alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; HIV prevention and sexuality education. Building on the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom, students utilize the appropriate strategies in a variety of physical activities while gaining competence and confidence in their abilities. Throughout the course, the concept of lifelong optimal wellness is reinforced and applied.

This semester course builds on the concepts learned in Wellness I related to a student’s physical, mental and emotional well-being. Students participate in an integrated program of health education and physical activity. The focus of the course is to expand students’ appreciation of wellness as t relates to peers, family and the community. Students begin by identifying the health and fitness goals to promote lifelong optimum wellness. The classroom health units include nutrition, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs; HIV prevention and sexuality education. Students learn how to access information on these topics. Building on the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom, the physical activity component reinforces and enhances those skills through active involvement. Beginning, intermediate or advanced students participate in team activities such as volleyball, recreational football and aerobic fitness activities, such as cycling, yoga and pilates which are aligned to the Michigan Merit Curriculum Guidelines for Physical Education designed to develop muscular strength, flexibility and endurance. Through participating in group activities, students develop skills in cooperation and sportsmanship. Throughout the course, the concept of lifelong optimal wellness is reinforced and applied.