Director Jody Clark discusses K to 5 health curriculum adoption in North Kingstown
February 07, 2024 | North Kingstown, School Districts, Rhode Island
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The North Kingstown School Committee convened on February 6, 2024, to discuss the proposed K to 5 health curriculum, led by Dr. Jody Clark, the Director of Curriculum. The meeting focused on the recommendations for updating the health education framework, which is reviewed every six years.
Dr. Clark began by acknowledging the contributions of Scott Carr, the K to 8 health and physical education curriculum coordinator, and outlined the process undertaken to develop the new curriculum. A committee comprising teachers, school nurses, principals, parents, and administrators was formed to analyze current health education trends and student needs. This committee reviewed data, including surveys, to inform their recommendations.
The timeline for the curriculum review indicated that the last health curriculum update occurred in 2014, with a delay in 2020 due to the wait for new state guidelines released in 2022. The committee initially focused on grades 6 through 12, which was adopted in May 2023, before turning their attention to the K to 5 curriculum.
Dr. Clark emphasized the importance of a standardized health curriculum, noting that previously, health topics were taught inconsistently across different classrooms without a unified approach. The proposed curriculum aims to ensure that all students receive core health instruction, meeting the state requirement of an average of 100 minutes of health and physical education per week.
The committee evaluated two main curriculum options: "The Great Body Shop" and "Healthy Lifestyle Choices." Both options align with Rhode Island health standards and offer various teaching materials. "The Great Body Shop" includes an embedded family life component and provides monthly newsletters with age-appropriate content and activities for students.
Dr. Clark concluded the presentation by highlighting the committee's unanimous support for the proposed curriculum, which aims to enhance health education for K to 5 students in North Kingstown. The School Committee will continue to review the recommendations and consider the next steps for implementation.
Dr. Clark began by acknowledging the contributions of Scott Carr, the K to 8 health and physical education curriculum coordinator, and outlined the process undertaken to develop the new curriculum. A committee comprising teachers, school nurses, principals, parents, and administrators was formed to analyze current health education trends and student needs. This committee reviewed data, including surveys, to inform their recommendations.
The timeline for the curriculum review indicated that the last health curriculum update occurred in 2014, with a delay in 2020 due to the wait for new state guidelines released in 2022. The committee initially focused on grades 6 through 12, which was adopted in May 2023, before turning their attention to the K to 5 curriculum.
Dr. Clark emphasized the importance of a standardized health curriculum, noting that previously, health topics were taught inconsistently across different classrooms without a unified approach. The proposed curriculum aims to ensure that all students receive core health instruction, meeting the state requirement of an average of 100 minutes of health and physical education per week.
The committee evaluated two main curriculum options: "The Great Body Shop" and "Healthy Lifestyle Choices." Both options align with Rhode Island health standards and offer various teaching materials. "The Great Body Shop" includes an embedded family life component and provides monthly newsletters with age-appropriate content and activities for students.
Dr. Clark concluded the presentation by highlighting the committee's unanimous support for the proposed curriculum, which aims to enhance health education for K to 5 students in North Kingstown. The School Committee will continue to review the recommendations and consider the next steps for implementation.
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