North Carolina DPI K-8 Healthy Active Children Policy 

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools has offered elementary physical education since the fall of 1977. We have long held the belief that it takes healthy children to be good learners. There are several key pieces of legislation and local School Board policies which are followed with regard to our elementary physical education programs, as well as recess.

Statement of Law: It is a duty of teachers in North Carolina to promote the health of all pupils, especially of children in the first three grades, by providing frequent periods of recreation, to supervise the play activities during recess, and to encourage wholesome exercises for all children. NCGS 115C-307(b)

Statement of Policy 5143:  IX. Goals for Physical Activity.

Physical Activity during the school day. Students will be given opportunities for physical activity during the school day through daily recess periods, physical education (P.E.) classes, walking programs, and the integration of physical activity into the academic curriculum.  Schools will promote an environment supportive of physical activity.

• Elementary: Each elementary student shall participate daily in 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous structured physical activity. On average, no more than 80% of physical education instruction shall be under the supervision of the regular classroom teacher and no less than 20% shall be under the supervision of a licensed physical education teacher.

• Physical Education Classes. Physical education classes shall be taught by state licensed instructors in an environment where students learn, practice and are assessed on developmentally appropriate motor skills, social skills and knowledge. Physical education will be consistent with state standards.  Physical education will include the instruction of individual activities as well as competitive and non-competitive team sports to encourage life-long physical activity.  All students should be provided an opportunity to participate in physical education classes. 

• Physical Activity Before and After School. Students will be given opportunities for physical activity through a range of after-school programs including intramurals, interscholastic athletics, and physical activity clubs.

• Creating a Positive Environment for Physical Activity.

  • Physical activity will not be used as a form of punishment.

  • Opportunities for physical activity (e.g. recess, physical education) will not be withheld as a form of discipline, except in the case of a brief timeout for misbehavior occurring during physical activity.

  • The above two guidelines do not apply to extracurricular sports teams.

  • Recess/physical activity time will not be cancelled for instructional make-up time.

  • All schools in the district will provide a physical and social environment that encourages safe and enjoyable activity for all students, including those who are not athletically inclined.

  • Information will be provided to families to help them incorporate physical activity into their children’s lives.