Physical and Health Education

Our Mission Canterbury physical education strives to teach each student how to lead a healthy and active lifestyle, by creating an atmosphere that is optimal, for the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth and development of every student.
Lower School
- Students participate coeducationally every day in group activities that involve large motor skills and the use of manipulative and fine motor skills.
- Athletic skills in volleyball, tennis, basketball, soccer, baseball, and softball are taught in a modified form.
- Every student participates twice each year in the President’s Challenge for fitness testing for flexibility, upper body strength, abdominal endurance, speed and agility, and cardio respiratory endurance.
- Health topics taught include learning the major muscle groups and their functions, major bones and their functions, and how to care for the cardio respiratory system.
Intermediate School
- Students have the opportunity to participate both coeducationally and with separate genders, and dress out in the Canterbury PE uniform daily.
- Two week units are taught in volleyball, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, flag football, tchoukeball, tennis, track and field, floor hockey, badminton, golf, baseball, and softball.
- Students work daily on dynamic stretches, and fitness conditioning, and run the track at least one day per week.
- Every student participates twice each year in the President’s Challenge for fitness testing for flexibility, upper body strength, abdominal endurance, speed and agility, and cardio respiratory endurance.
- Health topics taught include nutrition, and the muscular, skeletal, circulatory, and nervous systems, and bike safety.
Middle School
- Students have the opportunity to participate both coeducationally and with separate genders daily.
- Three-week units are taught in volleyball, soccer, basketball, lacrosse, team handball, tennis, track and field, baseball, softball, flag football, and golf. Each day includes dynamic stretching and fitness conditioning.
- Students participate in a strength conditioning program twice each week in the weight room.
- Every student participates twice each year in the President’s Challenge for fitness testing for flexibility, upper body strength, abdominal endurance, speed and agility, and cardio respiratory endurance.
- Health topics discussed though the middle school advisory program include; bullying, career interests, body image, suicide prevention, drug and alcohol education, self-concept and self-esteem, reproductive education (taught by the school nurse), healthy relationships, staying true to yourself, and stress management.
Upper School
- Students participate coeducationally
- 9th grade participates in a full year of Personal Fitness and Health.
- Students have the elective options of semester courses, Personal Fitness II, Weightlifting, and Dance.
Uniforms
- Students in intermediate, middle, and upper school are expected to dress out each day in the Canterbury PE uniform, which includes socks and athletic shoes.
- Students may wear hats and/or sunglasses outside as long as they worn properly.
- The student’s name should be written on their uniform to identify it as theirs, but this does not need to be on the front.
Non-participation policy
- Students who are healthy enough to be in school are expected to dress and participate in PE class.
- If a student should not participate or must limit participation due to medical reasons, a note from the treating physician must be provided.
- A parent note may be used to excuse a student from participating for one day.
- If a student does not participate in PE they will not be permitted to participate in after school athletics on that day.

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