Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Spotswood Public Schools Health and Physical Education Department to provide all students with the opportunity to engage in positive health-enhancing experiences. In both the health classroom and the physical education arena, staff to promote a lifestyle choice of physical activity and emotional well-being by educating in wellness, integrated skills, drugs and medicines, human relationships and sexuality, motor skill development, team building and cooperative skills, and fitness.

Physical Education courses in grades 6-8 are designed to provide all students with the opportunity to engage in positive, health-enhancing experiences. In promoting wellness, integrated skills, motor skill development, teamwork and cooperation, and fitness, the department attempts to guide students to physical activities and life skills they will enjoy and continue to participate in through high school and the rest of their lives in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The curriculum is organized into three categories of a team, individual, and fitness activities. By engaging in and focusing on each group area, the department believes students will be better prepared to fulfill the department mission and goals. To this end, the following activities are offered:

 Team Activities

Basketball, Challenge/Team Building Activities, Elementary Games, Flag/Touch Football, Floor Hockey, Frisbee Games, Newcomb, Soccer, Softball, Speedball, Team Handball, Volleyball, Wiffleball

Mastery Objectives

Activities offered within the team activities section of the curriculum will involve students working as a large group to accomplish a specified goal. Students will develop the use of strategy and exploratory tactics. Students will also use cooperative and leadership skills in the group atmosphere with the occasionally added motivation of competition. Skill development of kicking, passing, catching, throwing, and striking will be emphasized, practiced, and mastered.

Individual Activities

Archery, Badminton, Bowling, Golf, Lifetime Leisure Activities, Pickleball, tennis, Modified Track & Field Events.

Mastery Objectives

 Activities offered within the individual activities section of the curriculum will provide students opportunities to learn a number of activities they can do on their own or with a small amount of people or equipment. Student focus will be on developing and learning activities that foster an active lifestyle without the intensity of team sports and without the focus of "exercise". Students will master the concepts of hand-eye coordination, manipulative skills, and rhythmic skills.

Fitness Activities

Circuit Training, Core Training, Endurance Training, Interval Training, Jogging, Power Walking, Resistance Band Routines, Step Aerobics, Strength Training, Weight Training, Presidential Fitness Challenge.

Mastery Objectives

Activities offered within the fitness activities section of the curriculum will allow students to participate in any activity that is directly related to improving flexibility, body composition, muscular endurance, muscular strength, and/or cardiovascular endurance. All students will apply health related and skill related concepts and skills to develop and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. Students will also understand key components of training in regards to overload and specificity. They will also work to improve balance, agility, power, and speed.

Students in grades 6-8 are required to complete a Health course each year in accordance with New Jersey State Standards. Health courses at Memorial Middle School are organized by grade and include the following units of study:

6th Grade Health Education Program
Unit 1: Wellness
Unit 2: Puberty
Unit 3: Nutrition
Unit 4: Refusal Skills
Unit 5: Public vs. Private

7th Grade Health Education Program
Unit 1: Mental and Social Changes during Puberty
Unit 2: Physical Changes During Puberty/Reproductive System
Unit 3: Pregnancy and Birth
Unit 4: Tobacco

8th Grade Health Education Program
Unit 1: Relationships
Unit 2: Abstinence
Unit 3: Safe Sex
Unit 4: Sexually Transmitted Infections
Unit 5: Drugs