October 15, 2008
Dear Parents,
Each fall, Physical Educators across the state administer the: Second
Generation Physical Fitness Assessment. The entire Administrator�s Manual is
available on the State Department�s website and can be accessed at:
http://www.sde.ct.gov/sde/cwp/view.asp?a=2618&q=320980
This letter is intended to inform you of the dates that have been designated
for assessment of the 1-mile walk/jog/run test. While the state requires
reports on our 4th, 6th, and 8th grade students, we will also be assessing the
fitness levels of our 3rd, 5th and 7th grade.
The 1-mile walk/jog/run tests will begin Monday, October 20th and will
conclude Friday, October 24th. Weather is always a factor when facilities are
limited to an outdoor track so these dates are subject to change. I would
encourage parents to look at their child�s schedule, or the schedule charted
below, to match their �P.E. day� with the appropriate test date.
Monday 10/20 Tuesday 10/21 Wednesday 10/22 Thursday 10/23 Friday 10/24
Gr. 5-8 DAY 1 Gr. 5-8 DAY 2 Gr. 5-8 DAY 3
Gr. 4 Binkowski Gr. 4 Cooper Gr. 4 Persons Gr. 4 Bedard
Gr. 3 Denley Gr. 3 Defanti Gr. 3 Piatek Gr. 3 Petrucci
In conclusion, I would like to take the opportunity to ask for your support in
preparing our students for the mile walk/jog/run assessment in the following
areas:
1. Attire for exercise in cool weather.
2. Plenty of sleep the night before.
3. Nutritiously balanced dinner the night before and light breakfast that
morning.
4. Keep their focus on �reaching your personal best�.
The Push-up, Curl-up and Sit-and-Reach tests will be conducted during the
following weeks and all fitness testing including �make-ups� will be completed
before November 14th. Please do not hesitate to contact Steve Piro, (Pre K-4
Physical Educator), or myself at Horace W. Porter School should you have any
questions or concerns. Thank you for your support as we work towards
excellence in our physical education program.
Sincerely,
Justin S. vanGelder
Horace W. Porter Physical Education Teacher grades 5-8
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Throughout the course of the year, students in the middle school grades will
participate in Mr. V's Club! When students arrive to class they will have
several responsibilities that promote healthy behaviors such as;
Monotoring and recording fitness performance
-By using pedometers, heart rate checks, percieved exertion scales,
and workout cards, students monitor their progress and adjust their workouts
to achieve a balanced level of fitness addressing all four principles of training:
F.I.T.T. = 4 principles of Training
F= Frequency of exercise
I= Intensity of exercise
T= Type of exercise (Mode)
T= Time of exercise (Duration)
These are the four principles of designing personal fitness programs. Students
will be challenged to utilize these principles in an effort to design personal
fitness programs and explore variations of exercises. Students are asked to
work an appropriate and safe manner while improving their abilities in the
areas of:
1. Cardio Vascular Strength and Endurance
2. Upper Body Strength and Endurance
3. Abdominal Strength and Endurance
4. Flexibility
