Health, Physical Education & Wellness

Vision
“Developing Healthy, Physically Active and Empowered Scholars”

Mission Statement
Cambridge Public School's Health, Physical Education and Wellness Department is dedicated to creating supportive learning spaces where all students are known, celebrated, empowered, and thrive. Students will receive relevant learning opportunities that develop the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to be healthy and physically active. These experiences will support students to be engaged in exploring, creating, and advocating for meaningful changes at the individual and societal level. We also recognize that certain groups have been historically marginalized, resulting in significant health and educational disparities. In working to uphold the district's overarching mission, we are committed to:

  • Anti-racism, social justice, and racial equity by working in collaboration with CPS schools and community partners to address the needs of youth, families, and educators of color
  • Promoting inclusiveness, valuing diversity, and creating a culturally responsive curriculum within our department

Upon completion of our program, students will develop competence in a variety of skills, which include motor skill development, self-efficacy, advocacy, and empowerment. Our scholars will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to engage in lifelong efforts to maintain and enhance their individual and community health and wellness. 

Health and Physical Education Program Goals:
By the end of 12th grade students will:

  1. Accept ownership and responsibility for the health and wellness of self and others.
  2. Make informed decisions about personal and community health and well-being.
  3. Evaluate and adapt behaviors in order to maintain or enhance health and wellbeing.
  4. Apply knowledge of the functions and needs of the human body in order to promote a healthy lifestyle.
  5. Demonstrate competence and confidence when engaging in a variety of health-enhancing behaviors.
  6. Value their health and reflect critically on the relevance of health and wellness in their own life and the lives of others.
District Program Overview
Physical Education: K-8 Ninety minutes of Physical Education per week for grades K-8.

Physical Education: 9-12 All students are required to take Physical Education/Wellness every year and earn 5 PE credits per year. All students must receive a minimum of 20 PE credits to graduate. All students are also required to pass the 25 meter Swim for Survival aquatics assessment to graduate.

Health Education: K-5 a minimum of one semester of Health Education for students in grades 2, 3 and 5.

Health Education: 6-8 a minimum of one semester or 36 classes of Health Education for all students in grades 6-8.

Wellness: 9-12 All students must take 9th Grade Wellness and earn a minimum of 5 Health Education credits to graduate. *Starting in the 2024/2025 SY, all students will be required to take Grade 11 Health and earn a minimum of 10 Health Education credits to graduate.

Department Information

Health Education Information


Physical Education Information

Elementary: Middle School: High School: District:
Contact Us

Jamie McCarthy, Preschool-12 Curriculum Coordinator (Health, PE, and Wellness)
Judith Doran, Clerk (Health, PE, Wellness, and Athletics)
Ariana Starling, Lead Teacher (Preschool-8 Health Education and Wellness)
Blair Williams, Lead Teacher (Preschool-8 PE)
Sara Varella, Lead Teacher (Preschool-12 Aquatic Programming)
Michael O`Connell, Lead Teacher (CRLS/HSEP 9-12 Wellness Program)
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