Haley Ortega
Director of Athletics, Activities, & the Arts
hortega@nthurston.k12.wa.us
360-412-4890

Physical education plays a critical role in educating the whole student. Research supports the importance of movement in educating both mind and body. Physical education contributes directly to the development of physical competence and fitness. It also helps students to make informed choices and understand the value of leading a physically active lifestyle. The benefits of physical education can affect both academic learning and physical activity patterns of students.

Health education assists students to garner the knowledge they need to make healthy choices in life; to grow and develop into competent adults; and to be informed on health-related issues that will impact them throughout their adult lives. The healthy, physically active student is more likely to be academically motivated, alert and successful.

Health and Physical Education teachers in the district teach Washington State's health and physical education standards to help students successfully fulfill Washington state's essential academic learning requirements in Health and Physical Education. Students in 5th and 8th grades and in high school complete classroom-based assessments (CBA's) in Health and Physical Education annually. The efforts of health and physical education teachers are currently focused on providing students with the necessary content and doing this through the use of high-yield instructional strategies to ensure they meet the standard.