1. Chapter 4 The Physical Education Environment This chapter pertains to improving the physical education environment AND strategies for organizing the physical education department

2. Facilities Need for specific facilities is directly linked to curriculum. You can expand your facilities by using alternative sites: 1)Converting other facilities on-site Are there empty buildings? Storage sites? Many wood shops are being converted into physical education sites

3. Community resources 2)Using community resources – swimming pools, tennis courts, climbing walls, golf courses, bowling alleys If students learn a skill, they will return to the business as a paying customer – miniature golf, swimming.

4. 3) Use portable facilities Bowling lanes and balls In Los Angeles they have a portable swimming pool

5. If you can’t add facilities Clean up what you have Use the bulletin boards Ask for a coat of paint Apply for a PEP grant

6. Equipment & Supplies Equipment = costs more than $200 Supplies = cost less that $200 The curriculum will dictate what type of equipment and supplies you need Make sure the equipment is appropriate for middle school-size children

7. Equipment & Supplies To get more equipment: Share materials with other schools Partner with community recreation programs and local businesses Rent through in-line skating businesses – PTA will often underwrite this Don’t forget the free materials – USTA and the Young American Bowling Association

8. Creating a Safe Environment In today’s society you have to make sure you protect yourself from law suits Most law suits are from negligence

9. Negligence Has four parts and all must be present to prove negligence: 1) Duty – the teacher has a responsibility to ensure the safety of the participants 2) Breach – the teacher violated this responsibility by commission or omission.

10. Negligence - continued Injury –an injury must have occurred while under the care of the teacher. The injury must be a result of the teacher violating the responsibility for safety of the student.

11. Students can be the reason for the injury, but you must: Provide adequate supervision Anticipate foreseeable risks and warn students of any inherent risks Make sure the activity is suitable for the students Ensure the activity takes place in a safe learning environment.

12. Adequate Supervision Failure to provide adequate supervision is the most common reason for negligence suits. Adequate supervision includes including: The ratio of teachers to students The teacher’s training The physical distance between the teacher and the students The establishment and implementation of safety rules

13. Supervision Principles Always be in the immediate vicinity If you must leave the site, have an appropriate replacement – not a student teacher, custodian, aid Obtain and maintain training for emergency situations

14. Supervision Principles - continued Create written supervision procedures that designate responsible teacher – locker room, bus duty Develop written procedures on what to do in an emergency Have access to a phone and post emergency numbers

15. Document Any injuries and what you did Current levels of training from Red Cross or Heart Association Documentation and certifications are strong defenses against law suits

16. Selection and Conduct of Activities Select those that tie to state and national standards. If you just select things you like and a child is injured... Daily written lesson plans and safety requirements noted will also help

17. Safety Issues Maintain the facility and equipment Establish, teach and reinforce safety rules. If something has an inherent risk, students must be made aware of it Week ends: school should work to minimize vandalism

18. Organizing the Program Things runs smoother when everyone is on the same page. Students need consistency.

19. The Physical Education Department Chair should be facilitator not commander. There needs to be a vision of where the program needs to go. Share responsibilities – create a schedule Only hire qualified people

20. The P.E. Dept. - continued Create a student handbook Include safety requirements – example no loop ear rings. May have a behavior contract that both the student and the parent sign (see page 50)

21. To get students to dress out 1) Have attractive clothing for activity One school placed “Health Center” on the back of uniforms 2)Everyone dresses every day – no exceptions 3) Loaner clothing Treat refusing to dress out as an act of defiance and deal with it like any other act of defiance.

22. Misc. Encourage, but do not require, showering There should be privacy for students Medical excuses: Parent okay for 1-3 days, then need the school nurse or a doctor. Students still dress-out and do what they can do. May need to have written work.