Mrs. Gray's Current Events

Kelly Gray:

I teach Physical Education (K-8) and Health (3-8) at St. John Fisher School.  I graduated from Gonzaga University with a Bachelors of Education in Physical Education and Elementary Education.  My goal in teaching Physical Education and Health is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they will need to make healthy choices throughout their lives.       

Research shows and I believe that there is a vital link between mind and body. A healthy body enables children to more fully enjoy all aspects of learning and assures a greater likelihood of success in desired endeavors.  Recognizing that, SJF’s Physical Education and Health program focuses on skilled movement, competitive and non-competitive games, personal fitness, sport skills, responsible behaviors, and principles of nutrition, body systems, exercise, and lifelong wellness.  Every student has the opportunity to be and feel successful in a safe and fun learning environment.

"Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity. "      John F. Kennedy

Mrs. Gray's Current Events:

 IT'S TIME FOR FIELD DAY!  As the school year comes to a close, the students and teachers will celebrate with a day of community and activity.  Field Day will be in the morning on Monday, June 14th.  Children may wear athletic clothes and must wear closed toed athletic shoes appropriate for play on grass, blacktop, and in the gym.  We will have water stations (and you never know if it's going to rain) so children should bring an extra set of clothes and shoes to change into after the event. 

Soccer Test! 

Study guides will be passed out Monday. 

Tests will be given:

6^th grade – Friday, May 21

7^th grade – Friday, May 21

8^th grade – Tuesday, May 18

1-8^th grade fitness testing run

The weather looks good for Thursday and Friday this week, so I’m hoping to have students do the fitness testing run.  Please make sure that your child comes to school with appropriate shoes for running outside.  Again, if your child has an inhaler for asthma, the office needs to have a note on file so that they may use it at school. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. 

Thanks,

Mrs. Gray

6-8 grade Badminton Test

Study guides will be passed out Monday. 

6^th grade – Friday, April 16^th

7^th grade – Friday, April 16^th

8^th grade – Tuesday, April 13^th

Parents,

I have a few reminders for you and your children as we finish up the year in Physical Education.

1.  If your child has asthma and uses an inhaler, Chris Vancil needs to have a medical release on file allowing your child to carry and use while at school. 

2.   The students have finished 4 of the 5 fitness tests and the run is coming up in the next couple of weeks.  I’m holding out for good weather, but the kids should always come to school prepared to run with proper shoes and clothing.

3.  If your children dress down for PE (grades 4-8), please help them remember to bring clean clothes and proper shoes on their PE days.  Students sit out if they forget their clothes, which lowers their grade. 

4.  If your child will be missing PE (more than 2 classes) due to an injury, I must have a note from a doctor excusing them from participation.  In addition, I need another note/fax from the doctor when your child is released to participate again.

5.  Thank you to all who helped make Jump rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart such a great success! 

6.  A huge thank you to the parents who volunteered to help with the Presidential Fitness Testing!!  You were a huge help.

7.  Badminton starts next week!   

Thanks,

Kelly Gray   

We did it!  The students at SJF, with your help, met our goal and raised just over $5000 for the American Heart Association.  Students seemed to understand the mission of the program: to celebrate and exercise our healthy hearts while raising money for those who have heart challenges. 

Thank you to those who came in to jump and turn ropes and to the parents who organized and brought in healthy snacks for the classes.  You made it feel like a real celebration. 

Thank you for making Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart a success!

Kelly Gray       

Fitness Quiz 6-8 grades

Study guides will be distributed.  Students should be familiar with using the Karvonen Formula for calculating target heart rate zones during exercise.  They should also know the different ways of finding their pulse. 

Quiz on Monday, March 1.

Dear Parents,

I have a fun opportunity for you to earn volunteer hours!

The kids at SJF have been working hard all year to improve their fitness.  In two weeks, during the week of March 8-12th, students will be participating in the President’s Challenge during their regularly scheduled PE class.  The President’s Physical Fitness Test is a national test to measure how physically fit your child is compared to other children their age and gender. 

Exercise and fitness should be fun.  My goal is to use this test to help positively motivate students to improve their personal fitness and activity.  We have discussed goal setting and will continue to try to improve personal scores each year.  Children’s scores will not be publically posted and the results will not be factored into their grade. 

Students in grades 1-8 will complete five tests: the ¼ mile, ½ mile, or 1 mile walk/jog (length of run depends on the age of the child), sit and reach stretch, push-ups, sit-ups, and the shuttle run.  If you’d like more information on the fitness tests, please go to http://www.presidentschallenge.org/.   

I need help with counting, timing, and record keeping. 

Anyone who might be interested, please email me at kellyg@sjfschool.org. 

Thanks,

Kelly Gray

Jump Rope for Heart (grades 1-4) and Hoops for Heart (grades 5-8)

I’m excited to announce the SJF kick off of the Jump Rope for Heart and Hoops for Heart fundraiser for the American Heart Association!  On Friday, January 29th, your child will bring home a parent letter and collection envelope explaining the fundraiser.  If you have any questions, please call or email.  $5000 is our school goal.  If every student raises $25, we can reach it.  For more information about the American Heart Association, please visit their website at www.americanheart.org/jump.      

6-8^th Volleyball Test

Monday, December, 7^th

Students will be given a study guide to review the history, vocabulary, and basic rules of volleyball. 

6-8^th Components of Fitness PE Quiz November 9^th.

Students should know the 5 components of fitness, be able to explain each component, and give examples of activities that best represent each component.    

Study guides will be passed out Thursday, November 5^th.

11/2/09

6-8^th grade Health Test this week

We’ve been learning about muscles and bones and now is your chance to show me what you know.  Muscles and bones tests will be given at the beginning of health class this week.  Spelling counts for 7^th and 8^th graders.

7^th test on Tuesday, November, 3rd

6^th and 8^th test on Thursday, November, 5th

Physical Education tests.

Students in grades 6-8 are given written tests at the end of each unit.  Study guides are usually passed out a week before the test for review.  I also post notification of the test to the web a week before the test.  If your child is absent on the day of a written test, they should make arrangements with me and expect to make it up within two days of the original test date.  Tests account for 25% of your child’s overall grade in PE.    

6-8 grade Pickleball Test.

Students will be given a pink study guide that reviews the history, rules, court dimensions, and vocabulary for the game of Pickleball. 

Test dates:

6^th – Friday, October 16 (a week later because of outdoor school)

7^th – Friday, October 9

8^th – Tuesday, October 6

Dear Parents:                                                                                                   

Welcome to a great new school year! I am excited to have the opportunity to work with your child and educate him/her on fitness, health, and wellness concepts this year.

You can positively impact your child’s success in Physical Education by:

• Sending a note excusing your child from class if they are injured/ill and cannot participate.  If he/she will miss more than three days, a dated doctor’s note is requested with communication to indicate when it is safe for your child to return to activity. 
• Informing me of any health problems that may hinder your child’s participation.
• Sending your child to school with appropriate clothing and shoes on Physical Education days.  4-8^th graders are expected to dress down in physical activity clothing. (comfortable, loose fitting t-shirt, shorts, or exercise pants are appropriate) Dresses, skirts, jeans, tight shirts and tank tops are not appropriate.  SPORTS SHOES (sneakers, running, cross training, basketball, etc.)  MUST BE WORN FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION.  Sandals, winter boots, shoes with an open heel or toe, platforms, Crocs, elevated heels, cowboy boots, or any shoe with a slick or hard sole are not appropriate. This policy is in place both for the safety and health of your child as well as care of our facility.  Lack of appropriate shoes/clothes will result in nonparticipation, which will affect your child’s grade.  Each student will be allowed one ‘oops’ day if they forget their shoes/clothes.  Each day they miss after will lower their participation grade.  Three missed days because of clothing/shoes will result in a referral.  Students must come to class prepared and ready to move.      
• Check web postings for upcoming PE events, volunteer opportunities, and middle school unit tests.  For 6-8^th grades, I will be posting to Edline once a week (usually Friday).    
• Your child’s Physical Education class will meet on these days;

Kindergarten – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

1^st – Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

2^nd - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

3^rd – Monday, Thursday, Friday

4^th – Monday, Friday

5^th – Tuesday, Friday

6^th – Monday, Friday

7^th – Monday, Friday

8^th – Monday, Tuesday

Grades 3-8 have Health once a week in addition to their PE classes.  If you have any questions or concerns about what will be covered, please contact me. 

I am anticipating an excellent year working with your child in Physical Education and Health. Your help and cooperation are crucial to the success of our program. Again, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to get in touch with me at school by phone at 246-3234 ext. 12 or by email at kellyg@sjfschool.org.

Sincerely,

Kelly Gray

Physical Education/Health Specialist