Health and Physical Education Department

Program Goals

The Darien High School Physical Education Program provides a balanced program of instruction in the areas of physical fitness, lifetime sports, team sports and health education. This program contributes to the development and maintenance of appropriate levels of physical fitness while attempting to develop an understanding of the positive effects of exercise, physical activity and an active lifestyle.

Statement of Philosophy

Some form of regular physical activity is of value to all humans throughout their lifetimes. The Physical Education program in Darien strives to help all students gain the necessary knowledge, and to acquire the appropriate physical and social skills, so essential in developing an active lifestyle.

The required Physical Education Instructional Program K-12 is an integral part of the total educational process, and provides for:

  • Organic Development:   As it is concerned with maintaining a desirable level of health and physical fitness
  • Psychomotor Development:   As it is concerned with proficiency in the performance of movement and sports-related skills, including lifetime sports.
  • Cognitive Development:  As it is concerned with the understanding of the relationship between physical activity and good physical and mental health.
  • Affective Development:  As it refers to adjustment, both to self and to others, as well as to the development of desirable standards of conduct.

Requirements

Students are required to pass twelve quarters of Physical Education and four quarters of Health Education during their four years at Darien High School. Students must pass the Jogging/Weight Training class in Grade 9 or 10 and CPR in Grade 11 or 12.