Welcome to PE

with Mr. Maver & Mrs. Simmons

2025-2026

Elwood School

Meet Mr. Maver

My name is Steve Maver and I am the K-8 physical education and health teacher at Elwood School. The 2025-26 school year will be my tenth year teaching and coaching at Elwood. I am very excited to continue to grow and improve our physical education program, and look forward to helping your child achieve their health and fitness goals this school year.

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Meet Mrs. Simmons

Hi, my name is Nikki Simmons and this is my 5th year at Elwood School. This is my second year in the Gym with Mr. Maver. I have taught K-4 Music in the past so I am thrilled to be back in a classroom working with the students. It’s gonna be a great year of learning and growing in the area of physical fitness.

Being Prepared for PE Class

• Appropriate footwear - For safety purposes, please make sure your child has athletic shoes to change into each day. Shoes with heels, boots, or sandals (including Crocs) make it difficult for children to participate safely. Students without appropriate shoes will not be permitted to participate in PE that day
• PE Uniforms - All junior high students must have a full Elwood PE uniform and change into that uniform daily to earn full points *6th grade will begin changing in T2
• Shirt and shorts must be labeled with name
• Students will be issued 3 no dress passes per trimester. These can be used if they forget their uniform or don’t feel like dressing on a certain day and still want to receive full credit
• Any unexcused no dress will require student to work on an alternative assignment; no uniform = no participation
• Parents will be contacted if multiple no dress violations occur within a short period of time
• It is expected that uniforms be washed regularly

Lockers & Supplies

• Each junior high student will be assigned a locker in the locker room
• Only Elwood issued locks are to be used on these lockers
• It is expected that student lockers remain locked at all times except when changing
• Teachers are not responsible for anything lost/stolen due to student negligence
• Non uniform Items to consider keeping in PE locker: change of shoes, deodorant(no aerosol cans), hair tie, extra socks
• Locker room use is a privilege and may be revoked if behavior expectations are not being met

Junior High Grading

• Daily grades will be given based on the following criteria
• Dressed in full uniform
• Overall participation in activities
• Ability to follow rules, sportsmanship
• Junior high students will also have unit quizzes, as well as a health grade

Excusals

• Please contact either Mr. Maver or school nurse Mrs. Michelle Burgess if your child will need to miss PE for any amount of time. Keeping open lines of communication is essential for keeping all of our students safe.

Physical Literacy Mission

Physical literacy in physical education refers to developing students' confidence, competence, knowledge, and understanding to engage in physical activities for life. It's about fostering a love of movement and empowering individuals to be active participants in various physical activities, not just in school but throughout their lives.

This school year, in a continued effort to promote physical activity amongst students, we are encouraging Elwood students and staff to bring in (or email) photos of them and their families participating in any type of physical activity outside of school. Examples may include things such as a family walk, bike ride, or hike. These photos will be added to our “Tigers In The Wild” bulletin board in the large gym.

Feel free to begin sending in photos, or email to s.maver@elwoodschool.com

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Units & Areas of Focus

• Football & Throwing/Catching
• Recess and Backyard Games
• Soccer & Kicking/Footwork
• Basketball & Shooting/Dribbling
• Hockey & Striking with Implements
• Volleyball & Passing/Serving
• Pickleball & Badminton
• Bowling
• Golf
• Baseball/Softball
• Frisbee Golf
• Track & Field
• Locomotor & Movement
• Dedicated Fitness, Exercise, and Yoga Days

New Health Curriculum

Beginning with the 25-26 school year, all K-8 students will be receiving health education on a weekly basis via the ETR HealthSmart platform. This curriculum was piloted with 1st, 4th, and 7th grade students last year, and was well received by students and teachers. Topics will include emotional and mental health, injury and violence prevention, nutrition and physical activity, and tobacco and alcohol prevention.

Health will begin the week of September 8. Prior to classes beginning, parents and guardians can expect a letter coming home that will outline the topics to be covered for their child’s grade level for that current trimester.

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Contact

Mr. Steve Maver

Email: s.maver@elwoodschool.com

Phone: (815)423-5588 ext. 5074