SOPA funds professional Physical Education instruction for every child, weekly throughout the year.

The North Valley Family YMCA and CSUN have teamed up
to bring a quality Physical Education program (P.E.) to elementary schools. Providing age appropriate curriculum,
based on the CA State Framework for Physical Education, this
program teaches fundamental motor skills needed to maintain
a positive outlook on physical activity.

Children are faced with many challenges of a society that can
result in a sedentary lifestyle. The purpose of PE is to educate
the students in physical activity and provide the tools needed
to overcome misconceptions about physical education. Our
goal is to provide a quality PE program. We want ALL students
to participate, learn physical skills, and have FUN!

Overview of the program:
Ensure daily, quality physical education in all school grades.
Physical education can develop the knowledge, attitudes, skills, behaviors, and confidence needed to be physically active for life.

Program Components:
Warm-Up- Basic fitness, health concepts, stretching, and character development activities are introduced during the warm-up and are stressed throughout the class. Games & exercises of moderate activity gradually increase the heart rate in preparation for the more vigorous activities to follow.

Flexibility - Exercises designed to maintain or increase the range of motion of all joints for activity, and stretch the muscles used during exercise.

Cardiovascular - Games and exercises designed to elevate the heart rate into the appropriate part of the target heart rate range in order to achieve cardio-respiratory conditioning.

Muscular Strength and Endurance - Exercises and activities that promote increases in the strength and endurance of the muscles.

Skill Development -The lesson plan will include instruction of how to properly execute a skill using proper biomechanics. Drills, activities, and games will enforce the execution of the new skill being taught. This portion of the class focuses on development of fine and gross motor skills as well as sport specific skills.

Cool-Down - Exercises, activities and games will allow for slow and gradual recovery of the heart rate, and prevents blood pooling in the lower extremities.

We have qualified staff that are all certified with CPR & First Aid, have attended Child Abuse and Discipline trainings, and are certified by the YMCA of the USA Healthy Lifestyles. Many staff currently possess a Masters degree, Bachelor’s degree, or are in the final stages of obtaining a degree in Kinesiology, with an emphasis in Physical Education, Adapted Physical Education, Exercise Physiology or a related field.

The Physical Education Program also gives faculty the opportunity to have grade level meetings for one hour during the week.