The Office of Health, Wellness and Physical Education is under Academics and Whole Learner Supports and Interventions and oversees the development of the curriculum and instruction of all programs of health, physical education.  We also work with Employee Benefits on staff wellness. The Office of Health, Wellness and Physical Education is also responsible for the management and development and support of supplemental and other programs involving the health and wellness of students.

These supplemental programs include:  For elementary: bicycle and pedestrian safety, archery, in-line skating, kick scooters, First Tee golf, Drumfit cardio drumming; For middle school: archery and mountain biking.

A comprehensive school physical activity program plays a critical role in educating the whole child. Research supports the importance of movement in educating both mind and body through safe, engaged, supported, challenged, and healthy learners. Furthermore, physical education contributes directly to the development of physical competence and fitness.

The healthy, physically active student is more likely to be academically motivated, alert, and successful. In the preschool and primary years, active play may be positively related to motor abilities and cognitive development. As children grow older and enter adolescence, physical activity may enhance the development of a positive self-concept as well as the ability to pursue intellectual, social and emotional challenges. Throughout the school years, quality physical education can promote social and problem-solving competencies. Quality physical education programs in our nation's schools are essential in developing motor skills, physical fitness and understanding of concepts that foster lifelong healthy lifestyles. Furthermore, comprehensive and coordinated instruction in health helps students to make healthy choices for their lives. The EPISD Office of Health, Wellness and Physical Education programs promote health and wellness for all our students.

John E. Adams
Director, Health, Wellness and PE
915-230-4351
jeadams@episd.org
1100 N. Stanton 79902

TEC §28.002(d)(1-11) and TAC §74.1(b) require schools to establish objectives and implement an enrichment curriculum that includes all of the PE TEKS-based standards. School districts may add elements at their discretion but must not delete or omit instruction in the foundation and enrichment curriculum. In addition, schools are required to adhere to the definition of a public school PE curriculum described in TAC §74.37.

The TEC §28.002(l) requires students enrolled in full-day prekindergarten, in kindergarten, or in a grade level below grade six to participate in moderate or vigorous (MVPA) daily physical activity for at least 30 minutes throughout the school year as part of the district's physical education curriculum or through structured activity during a school campus's daily recess.  To the extent practicable, a school district shall require a student enrolled in prekindergarten on less than a full-day basis to participate in the same type and amount of physical activity as a student enrolled in full-day prekindergarten. If a school district determines, for any particular grade level below grade six, that requiring moderate or vigorous daily physical activity is impractical due to scheduling concerns or other factors, the district may as an alternative require a student in that grade level to participate in moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least 135 minutes during each school week.

The TEC §28.002(l) requires students enrolled in grade levels six, seven, and eight to participate in moderate or vigorous daily physical activity (MVPA) for at least 30 minutes for at least four semesters during those grade levels as part of the district's physical education curriculum.  Additionally, a school district may as an alternative require a student enrolled in a grade level for which the district uses block scheduling to participate in moderate or vigorous physical activity for at least 225 minutes during each period of two school weeks.

NOTE: EPISD adopted a requirement for 150 minutes (FFA REGULATION) of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for elementary school.  This requirement is 15 minutes more than the 135 minutes required by the state.