From the Director

From the Director

The Westborough Public Schools have an excellent Wellness Program made up of Physical Education and Health Classes dedicated to developing the skills needed to live a healthy and active life.  We provide safe environments where students can learn how to move their bodies effectively, develop and maintain a health enhancing level of fitness and learn the health skills that will allow them to navigate the world they live in.

In the elementary grades, our students begin their Wellness journey by learning how to be “good movers” through exploration of a great variety of physical skills.  Students also begin to build the foundations of individual fitness.  A focus on fun and movement provide an environment for all students to succeed.  As they become more capable in the upper elementary grades these movement skills are applied to a myriad of games, activities and small-sided sports.  Additionally, students are provided with health lessons in grades 4-6 embracing the national and state health standards.  Health skills of Interpersonal Communication, Self Management, Decision Making and Analyzing Influences are focused on at this level.

Through the transition of middle school, students in Physical Education continue to develop their wellness.  Students are active through individual activities such as rollerblading, fitness, and badminton, team games like floor hockey, and ultimate frisbee as well as non-traditional activities such as adventure sports, dance and yoga.  In health at the middle school students build on their prior skills through a solid base of authentic experiences.  In this important and dynamic phase of their development, their ability to utilize a full range of health skills is critically important.

At the high school level, we strive to give our students the opportunity to make their own decisions and prepare for life once they leave our schools.  Students participate in a full semester of PE each year as a graduation requirement.  In grade nine Physical Education students engage with four different content areas: adventure, individual, fitness and team activities.  In grades ten through twelve, students choose quarter length electives from a range of activities including but not limited to the following courses:  Yoga, Team sports, Outdoor endeavors, Fitness, Personal Safety, Net sports, Individual sports, Target sports, and many more.  Additionally, in our grade 10-12 PE classes wellness & health lessons are blended throughout the year giving the students the opportunity to apply their health skills to their current lives.

In Health class students complete a full semester in grade 9. This course is based on the state and national standards and students engage deeply with the skills of:  Interpersonal Communication, Decision Making, Analyzing Influences, Goal Setting, Self Management, Accessing Information and Advocacy.  Many authentic experiences lead to students building skills across these areas.

When students are living healthily, they are more likely to perform well in school and all other aspects of their lives.  It is our great hope that all students will leave our Westborough Schools with the tools necessary to lead healthy, active and productive lives.  

Regards, 

Roger Anderson

Director of Wellness