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Physical Education

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Middle School Physical Education

Physical Education is an integral part of the overall education of all students in the Northside Independent School District. The primary goal of physical education is to motivate students to pursue and continue active lifestyles by developing motor skills necessary to perform a variety of physical activities. It is also essential that students develop knowledge, understanding and positive attitudes about human movement. Northside offers quality physical education programs that provide learning opportunities that are meaningful, motivational, and challenging to the students.

In sixth grade PE, students will gain awareness and understanding of the relationship between physical activity and health while developing the knowledge and skills for both team and individual sports. There will be options throughout this one-semester course for non-competitive and competitive activities. Noncompetitive activities include a variety of recreational and outdoor sports such as rock climbing, lacrosse, mountain biking, and activities that promote enjoyment and success. Competitive activities will enhance skills through various activities that will provide a preview for UIL sports such as football, volleyball, basketball, track & field and soccer.

All students receiving PE credit will take the Fitnessgram to assess cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, upper body strength, abdominal strength, trunk extension, and body mass. 

In seventh grade PE, students will learn to apply movement concepts to a variety of activities such as spinning, recreational volleyball, and soccer. Students will also be exposed to a variety of recreational and lifetime sports such as circuit and fitness training, archery, and rock climbing.

All students receiving PE credit will take the Fitnessgram to assess cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, upper body strength, abdominal strength, trunk extension, and body mass. 

In eighth grade PE, students will be exposed to activities that support being physically active for a lifetime. Activities such as yoga, Pilates, archery, tennis, and golf will be taught. Students will also be exposed to mountain biking and a variety of recreational and outdoor sports. 

All students receiving PE credit will take the Fitnessgram to assess cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, upper body strength, abdominal strength, trunk extension, and body mass. 

Northside is currently implementing a Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) with physical education serving as the foundation. The CSPAP is a multi-component approach which includes physical activity before, during, and after school, and involvement with communities and families. The new approach provides students the opportunity to be physically active for the recommended 60 minutes per day.

Northside ISD's Middle School Physical Education program derives from the research-based SPARK, CATCH and District Module Curriculum. In middle school, students will be exposed to activities that support being physically active for a lifetime. The P.E. uniform policy will be communicated by the Physical Education Campus Staff.

State law requires school districts to annually assess the physical fitness of students enrolled in grade three or higher and to provide the results of individual student performance on the administered physical fitness assessments to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The Physical Fitness Assessment Initiative (PFAI) is a program designed to collect and analyze the required student physical fitness data.

Parents may request their child's physical fitness assessment results by contacting their child's physical education teacher.

A student who is unable to participate in the state-required regular PE program due to a specific physiological condition should have a physician complete the Physician's form and will have their program modified.

Note: Some modules are not available for the Middle School courses.

Off-Campus Physical Education Program

Northside ISD participates in Category I Off-Campus Physical Education (OCPE). Off-Campus Physical Education students must meet qualifying criteria, participate, and compete in a sport (not currently offered at NISD schools). Students must train at least 15 hours per week and compete in national to Olympic level competitions throughout the year. Please see the Off-Campus PE Guidelines for additional information.

The OCPE Program is a partnership between Northside Independent School District and approved off-campus agencies to provide activities such as dance, gymnastics, martial arts, swimming, equestrian, etc. The Physical Education Department supervises the OCPE program standards to ensure that each student receives a quality, off-campus physical education experience. This course will operate on a Pass/Fail grading system.

Note: As determined by Texas Education Code, for students in grades 9-12, participation in a Category I program is an allowable substitution to meet the state physical education graduation requirement. NISD extends the above guidelines to students in grades 6-8.

*Incoming 6th grade students, please contact your campus counseling department for further information.

Northside ISD participates in Category I Off-Campus Physical Education (OCPE). Off-Campus Physical Education students must meet qualifying criteria, participate, and compete in a sport (not currently offered at NISD schools). Students must train at least 15 hours per week and compete in national to Olympic level competitions throughout the year. Please see the Off-Campus PE Guidelines for additional information.

The OCPE Program is a partnership between Northside Independent School District and approved off-campus agencies to provide activities such as dance, gymnastics, martial arts, swimming, equestrian, etc. The Physical Education Department supervises the OCPE program standards to ensure that each student receives a quality, off-campus physical education experience. Students will receive a numerical grade at the end of each grading period.

Note: As determined by Texas Education Code, for students in grades 9-12, participation in a Category I program is an allowable substitution to meet the state physical education graduation requirement. NISD extends the above guidelines to students in grades 6-8.

Incoming 6th grade students are eligible for the Off-Campus P.E. Program during the spring semester. Please contact your campus counseling department for further information.

To be considered for the Off Campus Physical Education program at Northside:

  1. Complete the Off-Campus Physical Education online application.
  2. Submit the completed application by the application deadline.
    1. Incoming 6th Grade Student registration window:
      1. October 1st - December 1st - (Spring Semester Eligibility)
    2. 7th - 12th Grade Student registration window:
      1. First Friday in June - Second Friday in August - (Registration for Fall and Spring)
      2. October 1st - December 1st - (Registration for Spring Semester)
  3. The student must participate in their activity, under professional supervision, for a minimum of fifteen (15) hours per week.  The agency must submit a student schedule to the district through the agency portal. If the application is approved, the student must be off-campus during 1st or 8th period.
  4. If an agency is not on the NISD Approved Agency list, the agency must complete the Off Campus PE online application by the May 15th deadline each year.  OCPE Agency applications are closed on May 15th each year to ensure time for application processing and training.
  5. Approval of an OCPE application is for the current school year only.  A new OCPE Program Application must be submitted for consideration for the subsequent school year. 
  6. If all of the requirements and deadlines have been fulfilled, and the requesting agency is certified by the District, the Northside P.E. Department will determine eligibility and notify the campus counselor and principal for final approval prior to the beginning of each semester.
  7. Final review from the P.E. department will occur upon receiving the training schedule from the institution ensuring the minimum of 15 weekly training hours.
  8. If the student application is approved, it is important to communicate with the campus counselor regarding the student schedule. Approved students must be off-campus during their 1st or 8th period. 

  Note: It is the responsibility of the student/parent-guardian to submit a completed application. School staff or Agencies may not submit an application on behalf of the student. 

The OCPE Program is a partnership between the Northside Independent School District and approved off-campus agencies. Students may not be enrolled in OCPE and any other general physical education class or physical education substitution at the same time.

NISD only participates in Category I of the TEA OCPE program.

Category I - Olympic/National Level - Participation and/or competition includes a minimum of 15 hours per week of highly intensive, professional, supervised training. The training facility, instructors, and the program’s activities must be certified by the superintendent to be of exceptional quality. Students qualifying and participating at this level may be dismissed from school one hour per day. Students dismissed may not miss any class other than physical education. PLEASE NOTE: Students who leave for instruction during the school day cannot participate in UIL activities in the same sport.

To be placed on the NISD OCPE Approved Agency List, an agency must do the following:

  1. Complete the Off-Campus PE Agency online application.
  2. Submit the completed application.  Proof of insurance will be submitted on your online portal.
  3. If all of the requirements and deadlines have been fulfilled, and the requesting agency is certified by the District to be of high quality, the agency will be added to the published approved list.

OCPE Agency applications are closed on May 15th each year to ensure time for application processing and training.

  1. All documentation must be completed and submitted by the required deadlines. It is suggested that parents/guardians and students start this process at least 2-3 weeks prior to the deadline to meet all the documentation and scheduling requirements. Incomplete information will result in denial of the student application. 
  2. Students may only participate with one agency at a time and credit cannot be issued for summer activities. 
  3. Students must participate 15 hours per week for Category I at the approved agency from the first week of the semester through the end of the semester or transfer into a general Physical Education class at the students home campus.
  4. The OCPE Attendance Policy - 
    • Excused Absences -  A student who is absent from class more than 3 days due to an illness or injury must be verified by a doctor’s note.  Students are also excused for sanctioned UIL school functions. A parent/guardian note is sufficient for less than a 3 day absence.
      • Note: A Category I OCPE student may be granted excused absence(s) for a state and/or national level competition. A maximum of five days per school year may be missed with required documentation. Excused absences will still count against high school credit, and against any exemption policy that may be in place.
    • Unexcused Absences -  A student who is injured or ill for more than 3 days without a doctor’s note, attending a non-UIL school function/outside school activity without a parent note, or choosing not to attend a scheduled OCPE class. 
  5. Students must continue to attend agency classes if injured. They will receive alternative activities and lessons, but still must meet the minimum required hours per week.  If injury extends beyond 1 week, a doctor’s note must be given to the OCPE Agency Coordinator specifying what the student can and cannot do and when they can return to full participation. The Agency Coordinator must contact the OCPE Specialist for further assistance if injury/illness extends beyond 1 week.
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