WELCOME BACK SMS PARENTS AND STUDENTS!

First off, the PE Department would like to welcome all new and returning student to SMS! We would like to reiterate and update you on a few aspects of Physical Education this year.

As most of you know, the Dad’s Club invested in a brand new large gym floor (which is gorgeous!) and as an Athletic and PE department we are going to work our hardest to keep it at the top condition. But we need the parents help to ensure that your children have the proper footwear for both gyms.

Most middle school and a few elementary students are allowed to wear boat or saddle shoes to school and classrooms, but these types of footwear are NOT to be worn to PE or anywhere in either gym. During PE, if these shoes are worn, the student will be given alternative work separate from the other students and will be deducted participation points for class. Being prepared for PE includes bringing the proper footwear (rubber soled tennis shoes), please make sure that this is taken care of so we can product the gym floors.

Nurse Diane, Athletics, and the PE Department have agreed to implement a process for excused notes from PE this year. Below is a step by step process on what your student must do in order to be excused from activities during PE:

•  Student needs to take excused note to Nurse Diane, as early as possible in the day, to be validated and student will be given a nurse’s pass if excused

•  Student must bring nurse’s pass to their designated PE coach to able to sit out

•  If student is excused from PE, the student will also be unable to participate in recess and athletics

•  After one week of excused notes, we will need a physician’s note to be excused from further activities.

•  If a child has a written excuse from a physician for an injury, a signed release from the physician is needed to release the student to participate in PE

Also, our grading policy has been slightly altered and will be implemented department wide this year. Weekly grades will be inputted that will be weighted based on four main categories: Attendance (on-time/tardiness), Participation in ALL activities, Behavior, and Footwear. Various deductions that may be taken from the overall grade including but not limited to tardiness, improper footwear, behavioral issues, and lack of participation.

Aspects we have incorporated into our program since last year is bringing in demonstrations from organizations for various sports that TAPPS or high schools offer but the DPL may not. We had outside instructors come in to work with multiple grade levels for tennis and crew. We plan to expand and continue this regime through the entire year.

As this new school year begins, we would like to remind you about the importance of your child’s physical activity education. We truly believe in order for learning to occur, cooperation between your child, home, and the coaches are a necessity. We will try our best to provide a successful year for your child here atSt. Monicaand would ask for your support at home.

As we grow, we are excited to improve and maintain a positive learning culture during PE at SMS!

Please sign and return the following page

I understand and will follow the expectations, rules, grading policies, and procedures to provide a safe, respectful, and responsible PE class for Coach Budd’s class. If not, I will be subject to the deductions and disciplinary plan that could affect my overall PE grade.

STUDENT NAME (PRINT) ______

GRADE (CIRCLE ONE): 6th 7th 8th

STUDENT SIGNATURE ______DATE ______

PARENT(S)/GUARDIAN(S) NAME(S) (PRINT) ______

PARENT(S)/GUARDIAN(S) SIGNATURE(S)______DATE ______

PARENT(S)/GUARDIAN(S) CONTACT INFORMATION:

HOME PHONE ______

EMAIL ______

*Return this sheet to Coach Budd by Thursday, August 20th, 2015.