Physical Education Programs

The goal of Mesquite Independent School District's Physical Education program is to provide a variety of physical activities and instruction that nurtures a desire in each student for a lifetime of health and fitness. Below are program features that are designed to motivate students to develop a positive attitude towards good health practices.

1.  School Health Advisory Council—The MISD School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) is made up of 21 parents, community members, students, teachers and administrators.  The purpose of the SHAC is to be an advocate for healthy students by making recommendations to the school board pertaining to the coordinated school health program.  SHAC members provide input to ensure community values are reflected through regularly scheduled meetings.  During the 2005-2006 school year, the SHAC met on November 15, January 19, and February 16.  Meetings for the 2006-2007 school year are planned for November 2 and February 1.  All SHAC meetings are open to the public.  Please contact Susan Henderson, Council Coordinator, at 972-882-7413 if you would like to attend.  

2. Indoor Rock Climbing Walls: As mentioned above, these traverse climbing walls are 48 feet long and 8 feet high. Indoor rock climbing is one of the most innovative physical activities today. Climbing attracts a wide variety of students, including those who do not normally enjoy traditional physical education offerings. Cooperation, teamwork, problem solving, strength, cardiovascular endurance, and perseverance are just a few benefits these walls bring to our physical education curriculum.

3. Digiwalkers: Each of our elementary schools has a set of digital pedometers called Digiwalkers. A Digiwalker is a small “pillbox” type device that clips to a students waistband and records and displays the number of steps each student takes during PE class. This new technology allows students to set personal goals for physical activity and monitor their personal progress.

4. Heart Rate Monitors: A Polar heart rate monitor is another piece of technology that allows students to measure their personal progress toward physical fitness goals. Each elementary school has a set of “wrist watch” receivers and chest belt transmitters. With a quick glance at their wrist, students get immediate feedback on their individual performance.

5. Feet Across Mesquite: Another new program feature for the fall of 2002 is our district wide walking program called Feet Across Mesquite. Students and teachers log their walking mileage during PE class, during classroom outings and outside of the school day. The class with the most mileage at the end of the year receives a “school award” and the school with the most mileage, (calculated on a percentage basis of the total school’s population), receives the FEET ACROSS MESQUITE trophy to be displayed and “bragged about” until the next year’s competition.

6. Fitnessgram: Fitnessgram is a method of measuring physical fitness levels of students. Students fitness levels are measured in several areas: aerobic capacity; body composition; and muscular strength, endurance and flexibility. The Fitnessgram software program was developed by The Cooper Clinic and compiles individual results for each student so he/she can compare their fitness levels from year to year. Fitnessgram is administered in grades 5, 7and 9. The test is a criterion-referenced test that only looks at health related fitness. Students set individual goals and strive to improve and set their own personal fitness levels.

7. CATCH Program: Beginning in the spring of 2003, each school will begin training and planning for implementation of the Coordinated Approach to Child Health. The goals of this new health program are to help schools, children and families adopt healthy eating and physical activity habits. The CATCH Program has four components: a classroom health component, a physical education component, a food service component and family/home component.

8. Experiential Education: MISD physical education presents a collection activities designed to create opportunities for the whole class, regardless of ability, to succeed. Students are challenged as individual participants, with partners, or in small groups. These games enhance levels of cooperation, problems solving, conflict resolution and personal goal setting. Everyone wins when students learn valuable life lessons while having fun!