Every LASD TK-6 grade student is participating in an amazing PE program, learning both physical and social-emotional skills this school year. 

Students are provided with a variety of activities to help them grow and foster the confidence to live happy, healthy, active lifestyles. They set individual goals and work collaboratively towards team goals, developing the ability to work with others. 

“PE is so important because it gives students the tools to understand the impact an active lifestyle has on their body. They are exposed to a variety of sports and activities and hopefully find joy in specific activities that they continue to participate in for the rest of their lives.” 
– Courtney Bertolacci, LASD PE teacher

Students in grades TK-3: 

Learn about motor skills and movement patterns by 

• participating in activities to practice and improve their motor skills.
• asking themselves “Why do we move like this?”  

Learn about the 3 C’s: 

• Collaboration
• Cooperation
• Communication

“My favorite part of PE is using the parachute.” 
– Aydin, LASD Kindergartener 

In many activities, students have a chance to work together, make a “game plan”, revise a game plan, and reflect in order to reach a shared goal or outcome. The ability to collaborate, cooperate, and communicate in a group environment will help set students up for success in their future endeavors. 

“PE is important because you improve your physical skills, practice being a good sport, increase your strength, improve your movement and cooperation. One of my favorite parts of PE is playing with other people on a team like in Cross the River.” 
 – Kian and Leon, LASD 3rd and 1st graders 

Students in grades 4-6: 

Extend their earlier learning with a focus on fitness. 

Learn to talk about their knowledge, such as:

• How do we assess our fitness?
• What does it look like?
• Let’s set goals.
• Let’s work towards those goals.
• What impact does good nutrition have?

Demonstrate fitness concepts that will help them perform better.

• Upper Body Strength & Endurance
• Abdominal Strength & Endurance
• Cardiovascular Endurance
• Flexibility

Building off of prior grades’ standards and activities, 4th-6th grade students are learning scientific measurements of fitness components and applying that knowledge to measure their heart rate. They are learning how their bodies function through fitness components, such as measuring heart rate and applying that knowledge in their activities to help set and reach personal goals.

All students

Practice social-emotional learning (SEL) concepts, principles, and strategies that will help them thrive, such as: 

• Working individually or with a team
• Using equipment safely
• and more

Students in grades 4-6 get the opportunity to participate in the LASD’s Junior Olympics (JO), a district-wide competition between the seven elementary schools, that takes place each year in April.

• For all 4th-6th graders at every LASD elementary school 
• Includes a wide variety of events
• Students train during Physical Educational (PE) classes at their school
• Parents volunteer to run time trials
• The focus is on encouraging personal best and camaraderie
• PE teachers time all races at JO

LASD’s support of the Physical Education program is an integral component of the LASD student experience commitments, which include: Rich Learning Experiences, Environments Filled with Safety and Belonging; Development of Skills, Mindsets, and Habits; and Positive Developmental Relationships. 

"Exercise is like Miracle-Gro for the brain. 
Including it in a daily routine has repeatedly been shown to build brain cells and to improve academics. Elevating the heart rate can lift mood, beat stress, and sharpen intellect.”  
 – Dr. John Ratey, associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard University

Check out this article to learn more: 5 Hidden Benefits of Physical Education.