To contact our PE teacher, Mr. J, by email, click here: jessup.lewis@brevardschools.org

Greetings from the Christa McAuliffe Elementary School Physical Education Department. My name is Lew Jessup and I am really excited to be back at Christa McAuliffe for another year of learning and fun activities! If you have any questions or concerns about our PE program, please don’t hesitate to contact me at (321)768-0465 ext. 47169 or jessup.lewis@brevardschools.org

Curriculum:  We are looking forward to a successful year of challenging activities! During the first 2 weeks of school, students learned about the physical education and recess rules. These rules are designed to give our students a clear understanding of our safety and behavioral expectations. In addition to this, all of our students will be watching videos on traffic safety, bicycle safety, and water safety. It is very important for all bike riders to wear a bicycle helmet any time they are riding their bike. This is not just a school rule, it is a state law. We appreciate your cooperation in this.

We also spent the first two weeks talking about some of the fun activities we have planned for the 2023-24 school year. Our primary students will be participating in the following activities: Fleece Ball, Battle Ball, Bowling, Bocce Ball, Newcomb, Basketball Skills, Locomotor Stations, Animal Walks, Flag-Tag, Turtle-Tag, Gator-Tag, Soccer Skills, and Tennis Skills. Our intermediate students will be participating in activities like Fleece Ball, Battle Ball, Bowling, Bocce Ball, Volleyball, Basketball, Flag Football, Soccer, Team Handball, and Tennis.

Physical Fitness:  During our PE classes, students will participate in numerous exercises designed to improve their physical fitness levels. Some of these exercises include: push-ups, burpees, jumping-jacks, up-backs, and ski-jumps. Students also spend several minutes stretching before our main activity. Some of these stretches include the Sit-and-Reach, Straddle Stretch, and Butterfly Stretch. Additionally, students in grades 3-6 will participate in our annual Physical Fitness Test which takes place in February. The test includes the following activities:

1. Push-ups: Students will be scored on the number of push-ups they can perform with proper form.  Proper form requires students to descend towards the ground until their arms are at a ninety-degree angle.  At this point, the students must push themselves back up until their arms are in a straightened position.  The push-ups are to be completed slowly and with a straight back at all times.                                                                                                                                                  

2. Trunk lift: Students will lay face down on the ground and are required to lift their upper torsos off the ground without using their arms.                                                                                                                                                               

3. Sit and Reach: Students’ lower back and hamstring flexibility will be measured using a “sit and reach” box.                                                                                                                                                                                  

4. Curl-ups:  Students will be scored on the number of correctly performed curl-ups they can complete without stopping.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

5. Pacer: Students will be scored on how many shuttle-runs they can perform while keeping pace with the CD.     

Medical Limitations:  Safety is the number one priority at Christa McAuliffe Elementary. If your student has any medical limitations, please call, email, or send a note explaining the situation so we can make the proper accommodations. We will also need a doctor's note listing the specific limitations instead of general ones. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.                                                                                                                                                             

Clothing:  Ideally, students should wear shorts, lightweight shirts, and some sort of tennis or athletic shoes (sneakers) for PE classes. As a reminder, Crocs, slides, flip-flops, and thongs are not allowed to be worn at school per the BPS dress code policy. High-heeled shoes should not be worn by students on PE activity days. Students are also not advised to wear sweat jackets to PE during hot weather months. Speaking of hot weather, it’s always a good idea for students to bring a water bottle to PE. It is very important in Florida for us all to stay hydrated.

Best Regards,

Lew Jessup

Physical Education Department