Elementary SchoolFor PE Specialists
Culminating Events
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Amy Matarazzo, PE TSA receives the SFUSD RAVE Award
A Teacher We RAVE AboutAmy is an outstanding Elementary Physical Education Specialist that has established PE programs across the district. She was nominated for her high level of passion, commitment to all students, and the impact that she has made on several communities.
Amy you are an amazing teacher!! But your teaching alone is not why we are here… Amy goes above a beyond her teaching responsibilities:
Speech Given By: Desirae Feria, Supervisor of Physical Education Curriculum Program and SchedulesWho is my student working with in P.E.?Elementary Schools are assigned a PE Teacher for each Academic School Year. Please look below to see which PE Teacher is assigned to your student's School.
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Elementary Schools
2016-2017
New Report CardsAt the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year San Francisco Unified rolled out new/revised reports at the elementary level. The Physical Education Department seized the opportunity to redesign their section, as did many other content areas. The previous report card section for elementary physical education contained 3 standard statements based on gross motor, fine motor, and balance skills. These 3 standard statements repeated through grades K-5. As a result of the redesign process, SFUSD’s elementary physical education section is now standards-based by grade-level. There are 5 standard statements for each grade level. Three statements are based of movement proficiency and two statements on cognitive concept skills. These standards directly relate to CA Physical Education Content Standards, as well as, SHAPE National Standards. K-5 Physical Education report card standard statements are now age and developmentally appropriate, sequential, and standards-based. The impact this change can make on the lives of 10,000+ students per year promotes physical literacy, a better understanding of movement and health-related concepts.
* Mandigo, Francis, Lodewyk & Lopez,(2012) define physical literacy as the ability to move with competence and confidence in a wide variety of physical activities in multiple environments that benefit the healthy development of the whole person. |
3rd Annual 4th Grade 5KOn Wednesday April 26th, just over 1000 students from 14 different elementary schools throughout San Francisco Unified participated in SFUSD’s 4th annual 4th grade 5K. This event takes place in the Hellman Hollow picnic area of Golden Gate Park. Students walk, jog, and/or run a course loop that enters through the Polo Fields and back to Hellman Hollow.
Participation in the event helps decrease the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Additionally, it prepares students for the fitness testing they will experience in the 5th grade by focusing on improving their cardiovascular endurance through consistent effort and goal-setting. Training for this event helps promote improved physical fitness and teaches students important fitness skills and concepts they can use over a lifetime. 8th Annual Golf Par-teeOn Tuesday May 9th, 325 Fifth graders from 6 different elementary schools will kick-off the 8th Annual Golf Par-Tee Event that will host approximately 2,300 fifth graders from 34 schools district-wide over a 2-week period. This event will take place at The First Tee Range in Harding Park Golf Course located at 99 Harding Road in San Francisco. Opening ceremony begins 10:00am. There will be brief speeches to celebrate the partnership between San Francisco Unified School District, P.G. & E., and The First Tee of San Francisco. In attendance may be Mayor Ed Lee, SFUSD Deputy Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero or Superintendent Dr. Matthews, PG&E Vice-President Nick Bijuir, First Tee Board Chairman Sandy Tatum, Master of Ceremony Kay Cockerill from the National Golf Channel, SFUSD PE teachers, elementary classroom teachers, parents, and The First Tee staff.
Students are taught a golf and life skills curriculum as part of elementary physical education class, specifically designed for SF students prior to attending this event. Golf is a lifelong physical activity that stimulates brain activity and promotes heart health. Needless to say, Physical Education in elementary schools plays a dual role in serving both the mind and the body. |
2015-2016
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Blinging in the New Year PE PD
We came, we blinged, we conquered. After countless years of stale PDs outside of the PE department, I REALLY appreciate the enthusiasm and energy that our staff blings, I mean brings. Highlights include but not limited to:
Written By: Claire Weiss, Elementary Teacher Special Assignment |
SCREEN TIME STUDY
A new study from the Common Sense Group entitled, “Common Sense Census: Media use by Tweens and Teens,” reports that teens and “tweens” are clocking in as much as 9 hours of screen time in a day. While “tweens” (8-12 year olds) averaged closer to 6 hours a day using their tablets, phones, or television sets, the cumulative time spent on devices and watching screens was often greater than time spent being physically active or engaged with family members. With so much of 8-18 year olds time devoted to screens, it’s important to be aware of the potential consequences. Studies indicate strong links between the amount of television watched by children and fewer family meals, less physical activity, and increased risk of obesity and high blood sugar. One way to counter act these effects is to reduce screen time and increase physical activity throughout young people’s day. Taking a walk before or after dinner, or simply spending more time outdoors engaged in play are both easy ways to put the screen time on hold. It’s also important to remember that adults’ screen time behavior also plays a large role in children’s usage. The more we can model restraint around screen time and increase time spent in physical activity, the more our young people will be inspired to do the same. Written By: Gloria Sagastume, Elementary Content Specialist |
WELCOME BACK ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL EDUCATION SPECIALISTS
August 11th marked the return of SFUSD teachers and the beginning of preparations for the academic year ahead. Elementary PE Specialists reported to 95 Gough St. and began 4 days of intensive training. This year, the elementary PE team welcomed 9 new PE teachers; bring the total number of PE Specialists to 36. Training highlights included cooperative activities such as the “Marshmallow Challenge,” where teams of specialists competed to construct the tallest marshmallow structure possible, as well as “The Gauntlet” which took place in the Marina district of San Francisco. During the Gauntlet, teams of specialists competed to complete a battery of both physical and mental challenges in the shortest amount of time. By weeks end, a renewed sense of team spirit was evident and specialists were ready to begin the school year at their new school sites. The elementary PE department is looking forward to another great year of elementary PE!
Written By: Gloria Sagastume, Elementary Content Specialist
2014-2015
4th Grade 5KThe 2nd Annual 4th Grade 5K took place on April 22, 2015. 500 4th graders from 6 different elementary schools came out to Golden Gate Park to run a 3.1 mile course that took them around Hellman Hollow and the Polo Field. Students wore brightly colored, school specific, race shirts that made for a rainbow of colors along the race course. It was a sight to see! This year, we were also pleased to see not only more students running the course, but an even greater number of parents and teachers as well. Another wonderful addition to the day was the presence of local radio personalities, Marcus D from Star 101.3 and Magic Matt from Wild 94.9. Marcus did a wonderful job getting students pumped and ready for the race, and students got to run while listening to great music, courtesy of Magic Matt. Upon completion of the race, all race participants were rewarded with a bottle of well-earned and refreshing water, courtesy of our local sponsor Hint Water. It was a great day for all who attended and the participated in the race and we can’t wait to do it all over again next year. 4th grade 5K 2016 here we come!
Written By: Gloria Sagastume, Elementary Content Specialist |
Kids, Stress and MVPAStress is a side effect of the demands placed on us and our ability to meet them. The experience of stress can range from a mild state of alertness to feeling completely overwhelmed by the push and pull of life. Stress can affect anyone who feels overwhelmed, particularly kids. For kids, such demands can come from outside sources, such as family, friends, or school, as well as from within. Often kids can experience an internal battle over what they think they should be doing versus what they are actually able to do. As kids get older, academic and social pressures (especially from trying to fit in) create stress. Additionally, complicating factors, such as an illness, a death of a loved one, or a divorce can cause kids great amounts of stress. So how can we as Physical Educators help our students deal with the stresses they are undoubtedly experiencing in their daily lives? One way is to ensure that they are getting enough Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity during PE. MVPA during Physical Education class gives our students an opportunity to experience the positive effects of stress brought on by exercise. Exercise brings on an increase in blood flow throughout the body, as well as an increase in glucose availability, which aids in cellular recovery and ultimately leads to an increase in their stress threshold (i.e. their ability to deal with stress in general.) Physical Educators should aim for at least 50% of class time to be spent in MVPA in order to give students the best opportunity to benefit from this type of stress relieving exercise. By giving our students a consistent avenue to work through feelings of stress, we are not only helping them cope with the experience of stress in the present moment, we are also helping them build a foundation for healthy alternatives and coping strategies for dealing with stress for a lifetime!
Written By: Gloria Sagastume, Elementary Content Specialist |
