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The mission of the Adapted Physical Education Program is to improve the lifetime wellness skills of middle school students with disabilities.
The Adapted Physical Education Program at Riviera Middle School is designed to increase the lifetime wellness skills of students with disabilities. It is directed by a state-endorsed, nationally certified Adapted Physical Educator with a doctorate degree. The program focuses on improving students' (1) motor development and coordination, (2) individual and team skills, (3) independent and recreational skills, (4) physical fitness and activity, and (8) health/wellness.
The goal is to teach students with disabilities lifetime wellness skills. The program is based on current state and national, adapted physical education standards. The current health and fitness level of each student is determined when entering the program. Medical conditions and medications are a consideration in health assessment and exercise prescription. The student's IEP is reviewed and implemented, where appropriate, in program implementation. The student is placed in the least restrictive environment, goals are set to improve current levels of performance with emphasis on success, and progress is monitored and recorded.
The program is conducted at the school site with support visits to a local fitness facility with a childhood obesity program. The lifetime wellness skills included are aerobic fitness, strength training and making healthy food choices. Specific aerobic fitness activities include the use of: stationary bikes, stair masters, rowing machines, recumbent bikes, Nordic tracks, treadmills, Reebok steps and adult tricycles. Specific strength training activities include the use of: plastic coated dumbbells, iron dumbbells, multi-gyms, and gym-quality equipment to perform exercises for every major muscle group.
Students are instructed in the proper and safe management of all equipment before use at both sites. The students are closely monitored and supervised by the instructor at all times.
Each activity is broken down into basic objectives. Progress is charted on instructor-designed checklists. Mastery is accomplished when the checklist for each activity is completed.
The concept of healthy food choices is addressed through instructor-based counseling and a student diet log. The data from the diet log is entered into a nutritional program on the internet weekly. The program builds a pyramid based on the student data and compares it to the United States Dairy Association's Food Pyramid. Suggestions are made to the students, by the program, based on the results.
Students in the program participate in P.E. Central Challenge and the President's Physical Fitness and Health Challenges for children with disabilities. They are encouraged to participate in Special Olympics, Sport Disabilities, and other recreational and lifetime activities. Student self-esteem, confidence and success are encouraged in every part of the program. They have the opportunity to earn and receive awards, rewards, and incentives of all types at any time.
Target audience - The program serves profound, trainable, and educable children with intellectual disabilities; children with autism; and children with physical disabilities. Ages 11-21 in grades 6-12
