PHYSICAL FITNESS
Exercise is a crucial element for enhancing overall health, maintaining fitness, and reducing the risk of potential health issues. It’s imperative for scholars to establish a balanced lifestyle that incorporates regular physical activity, steering clear of a sedentary way of life.
Engaging in sports activities on a regular basis not only contributes to improved physical health but also enhances scholars’ concentration on their schoolwork and contributes to their overall well-being and happiness.
In the CYSP program, scholars are expected to fulfill the physical fitness requirements. They can complete their physical fitness hours either at home or with their CYSP groups. It’s important to note that physical education classes and daily routines like walking to school do not count toward CYSP physical fitness hours. For most scholars, participation in this category is mandatory, while seniors have the option to participate. The point value assigned to this category is 3 points. Each scholar is permitted to log a maximum of 50 hours of Physical Fitness activities throughout the school year, a limit that applies to all participants in this activity.
Physical fitness and social-emotional learning (SEL) are closely interconnected, and engaging in physical activity can have a significant positive impact on a scholar’s social and emotional well-being.
1. Self-Awareness:
Physical fitness activities encourage scholars to become more aware of their bodies, physical abilities, and limitations. This self-awareness can lead to a better understanding of their emotions and stressors. When scholars engage in physical activities, they may notice changes in their mood, energy levels, and overall well-being, contributing to greater emotional self-awareness.
2. Self-Management:
Regular physical activity helps scholars develop self-discipline and self-regulation. They learn to set goals, establish routines, and persevere through challenges. These skills in self-management can be applied to emotional regulation as well, helping scholars cope with stress, anxiety, and other emotions in healthy ways.
3. Social Awareness:
Physical fitness often involves group activities, such as team sports or group fitness classes. Participating in these activities fosters social awareness as scholars learn to cooperate, communicate, and empathize with their peers. They become more attuned to the needs and feelings of others, promoting stronger interpersonal relationships.
4. Relationship Skills:
Physical fitness activities provide opportunities for scholars to develop and strengthen their relationship skills. They learn to work collaboratively, resolve conflicts, and communicate effectively within a team or group setting. These skills can be transferred to other social contexts, improving their ability to form and maintain positive relationships.
5. Responsible Decision-Making:
Physical fitness encourages responsible decision-making related to health and well-being. Scholars learn the importance of making choices that promote their physical health, such as eating nutritiously and staying active. These responsible decision-making skills can extend to other areas of life, including making ethical and safe choices in various situations.
6. Emotional Regulation:
Engaging in physical activity can be an effective way to release stress, manage anxiety, and improve mood. Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, which are natural mood boosters. Scholars who incorporate physical fitness into their routines often report feeling more emotionally balanced and better equipped to handle stressors.
7. Confidence and Self-Esteem:
Achieving physical fitness goals can boost a scholar’s confidence and self-esteem. When they see progress in their physical abilities, it can translate into increased self-assurance in other aspects of life, leading to improved emotional well-being.
Personal Physical Activities
CYSP believes that incorporating physical fitness into educational settings not only promotes physical health but also supports the development of crucial social and emotional skills. It provides a holistic approach to education that recognizes the interconnectedness of physical, social, and emotional well-being, ultimately contributing to scholars’ overall growth and success.
Physical education class and daily routines, such as walking to school, do not count towards CYSP physical fitness hours.
This category is mandatory for most students and optional for seniors. The point value allocated to this category is 3 points. The maximum Physical Fitness entries allowed for each student are up to 50 hours throughout the school year. This applies to all who participate in this activity.
Advisors may inform students about healthy food and drink choices to maintain their healthy lifestyles.
Advisors may inform students about the benefits of 10 thousand steps. The American Heart Association recommends 10,000 Steps a Day or About Five Miles of Walking.
Examples:
- Exercising, biking, jogging, swimming, etc.
- CYSP groups can do sports activities together, such as playing soccer, basketball, etc., in school or out of school.
SEL Competencies:
Self-Management: Encourage them to do sports in their spare time.
The entry to Log
Scholars enter their physical fitness information in their PowerSchool student account under “Personal Physical Activities”.