Standard 2:  A Safe and Healthy Environment

Students will acquire the knowledge and ability necessary to create and maintain a safe and healthy environment.

Health Education:

Key Idea 1

Students will demonstrate personally and socially responsible behaviors. They will care for and respect themselves and others. They will recognize threats to the environment and offer appropriate strategies to minimize them.

Performance Indicators (Benchmarks):

Elementary Level Students:

• understand basic safety rules
• recognize potentially dangerous situations and know how to avoid or reduce their risk
• know some personal and social skills which contribute to individual safety
• recognize characteristics of the environment that contribute to health.

Middle Level Students:

• assess potentially dangerous situations and demonstrate the skills to avoid or reduce their risks
• demonstrate personal and social skills which enhance personal health and safety
• understand the need for personal involvement in improving the environment.

Commencement Level Students:

• recognize hazardous conditions in the home, school, work place, and community and propose solutions to eliminate or reduce them
• evaluate personal and social skills which contribute to health and safety of self and others
• recognize how individual behavior affects the quality of the environment.

Physical Education:

Key Idea 1

Students will demonstrate responsible personal and social behavior while engaged in physical activity. They will understand that physical activity provides the opportunity for enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and communication.

Students will be able to identify safety hazards and react effectively to ensure a safe and positive experience for all participants.

Performance Indicators (Benchmarks):

Elementary Level Students:

• contribute to a safe and healthy environment by observing safe conditions for games, recreation, and outdoor activities
• come to know and practice appropriate participant and spectator behaviors to produce a safe and positive environment
• work constructively with others to accomplish a variety of goals and tasks
• know how injuries from physical activity can be prevented or treated
• demonstrate care, consideration, and respect of self and others during physical activity.

Middle Level Students:

• understand the risks of injury if physical activity is performed incorrectly or performed in extreme environmental conditions, and recognize the importance of safe physical conditions (equipment, facilities) as well as the emotional conditions essential for safety
• develop skills of cooperation and collaboration, as well as fairness, sportsmanship, and respect for others
• work constructively with others to accomplish a goal in a group activity, demonstrating consideration for others involved
• understand the physical and environmental dangers associated with particular activities and demonstrate proper procedures for safe participation in games, sports, and recreational pursuits
• understand the role of physical activity, sport, and games as a balance between cooperative and competitive behaviors and as a possible arena in which to develop and sharpen leadership and problem solving skills, and understand the physical, emotional, and social benefits of participation in physical activities.

Commencement Level Students:

• know the potential safety hazards associated with a wide variety of games and activities and are able to prevent and respond to accidents
• demonstrate responsible personal and social behavior while engaged in physical activities
• accept physical activity as an important part of life. Self-renewal, productivity as a worker, energy for family activities, fitness, weight control, stress management, and reduction in health-care costs are understood as benefits of physical activity
• create a positive climate for group activities by assuming a variety of roles
• understand the physical, social, and emotional benefits of physical activity and can demonstrate leadership and problem solving through participation in organized games or activities.

Home Economics:

Key Idea 1

Students will know the basic principles of home and community safety. They can demonstrate the skills necessary to maintain their homes and workplaces in a safe and comfortable condition. They can provide a safe and nurturing environment for themselves and others.

Performance Indicators (Benchmarks):

Elementary Level Students:

• understand some basic requirements of nurturing people of various ages, and demonstrate appropriate ways to interact with them
• know some conditions necessary for a safe and healthy home and school environment and recognize the various ways individuals contribute to that environment.

Middle Level Students:

• demonstrate the principles of safe and healthy child care
• know the basics of managing a safe and healthy home
• use age-appropriate techniques to select and maintain clothing.

Commencement Level Students:

• understand the stages of child development and apply this knowledge to activities designed to enrich the physical, social, mental, and emotional development of a young child
• apply housing principles (e.g., design and safety) to meet the needs of family members of all ages and abilities
• understand essential requirements for selecting and maintaining a home
• apply basic rules of health and safety to a variety of home and work place situations.