Physical Education / Health Department

The Physical Education curriculum at Hill-Murray attempts to provide all students with the opportunity to develop skills and understanding that will enable them to enjoy and appreciate their physical development.  Physical Education offers unique opportunities for developing desirable character and social traits as well as physical development.

Objectives of courses include increased strength and endurance, development of motor skills and improved health practices, as well as fulfillment of the recreational and social needs of the individual.

Emphasis in all classes is on lifetime sports with a focus on learning by doing.  A wide variety of experiences are provided so that each student is exposed to as many activities as possible.

Physical education is required for one semester in grades 7-10;  Health is required for one semester in grade 9.Students may choose to take weights, fitness and conditioning, and standard first aid-CPR/athletic training in 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.  Advanced physical education is available to 11th and 12th graders.

Course Offerings

Physical Education:  Grades 7-8

These are basic Physical Education courses for seventh and eighth graders and are part of the minimum requirement for all middle school students.  They are activity-centered and designed to meet the needs of students in two important ways by providing: 1) exposure to lifetime sports and 2) much needed physical activity.

Health 9

This course includes units in mental health, mental disorders, emotional development, stress, physical health and fitness, nutrition, the life cycle, chemical health, consumer health, disease prevention and control, AIDS, environmental health management, safety, and first aid.

Physical Education 9

This is the basic Physical Education course for freshmen and is the minimum requirement for all students.  The President’s Council on Physical Fitness Test is administered in the fall/spring.  The basics of the following life sports are covered: volleyball, archery, tennis, badminton, and dance, plus team sports such as speedball, softball, floor hockey, and basketball.Only the rudiments of each activity are covered.

Physical Education 10

This is the basic Physical Education course for all sophomores.  It is a progression from the basic freshman class with a refinement of the fundamental activities learned the previous year.  The fitness test is again given and activities are those experienced as freshmen with emphasis placed on refinement of skills along with socialization through participation in physical activity.

Advanced Physical Education

This course is designed as an activity class for juniors and seniors who find Physical Education enjoyable and rewarding.  It is designed to meet the needs of the student as an outlet for physical activity through a structured course of activities, primarily in the area of life sports.

Beginning Weight Training

This course is designed for the beginner who is interested in developing themselves physically through the use of modern strength training techniques.  It is assumed that each student enrolled has little or no background in the area of weight training.Fundamentals are taught from the basics with the ultimate goal of each student developing and implementing a strength program designed to meet his or her specific goals.

Advanced Weight Training

This course is open to junior and senior students who have completed the Beginning Weight Training course and would like to build on the base they have established.

Girls Weight Training

This course is open to sophomore, junior and senior girls who are interested in developing themselves physically through the use of modern strength training techniques.  Fundamentals are taught with the ultimate goal of each student developing and implementing a strength training program designed to meet their specific goals.

Standard First Aid-CPR/ Athletic Training

This course is divided into two major sections.  The first half of the course will involve instruction in basic first aid techniques and performance of cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.  Upon successful completion of this section, students will be certified in adult, infant and child CPR and community first aid.  During the second half of the course, students will focus on the role of the athletic trainer in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of athletic injuries, including an introduction to basic anatomy, concentrating on the limbs, back and cardiovascular systems.  Preventive taping techniques are also taught.

Fitness and Conditioning

This activity-based course is designed to enhance students’ cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, and flexibility.  Daily class activities include warm-up routines, aerobic-based core workouts, and cool-down routines.  Students are required to monitor and record resting and exercise heart rates and draw connections between specific activities and the anatomical and physiological process that takes place in the body while performing them.  Activities include fitness walking, running, roller-blading, a variety of fitness videos, and aerobic-based team or individual sports.

Faculty
Dick Ghizoni has been teaching at Hill-Murray since 2005.  He earned his B.A. in Physical Education from the University of St. Thomas and an Associate of Arts Degree from Normandale Community College.  Before coming to Hill-Murray he taught at St. Agnes High School for 23 years.  He currently is the Assistant Varsity Boys Basketball Coach and B-squad Baseball Coach.  Dick is a six-time basketball Section Coach of the Year and five-time Baseball Coach of the Year. He currently teaches Physical Education for grades 8 and 10 and Boys Weight Training.  E-mail Dick Ghizoni at dghizoni@hill-murray.org

Clare Grundtner has been teaching at Hill-Murray since 2003.  She earned her B.A. in Exercise and Sport Science with a K-12 Physical Education license from the College of St. Catherine and her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration at the University of St. Mary’s. Currently, she is working on a Doctorate in Leadership, Policy, and Administration at the University of St. Thomas. She teaches 7th and 9th grade Physical Education, Girls Weight Training, and First Aid.   E-mail Clare Grundtner at cgrundtner@hill-murray.org

Julie Jorissen has been at Hill-Murray since 1992; she is currently teaching Health Education and Girls Weight Training.  She holds a B.S. in Physical Education from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. in Health Education from Augsburg College in Minneapolis.  She earned her M.S. in Health Science from Minnesota State University - Mankato in 1999.  Ms. Jorissen is also a member of Hill-Murray's Student Assistance Team.  E-mail Julie Jorissen at jjorissen@hill-murray.org





 

Tim Ryan earned his undergraduate degree in teaching from the College of St. Thomas in 1974.  Tim and his wife, Lou Ann, are the proud parents of four Pioneer graduates as well as a son who graduates in 2006.  Tim started at Hill-Murray in 1976, teaching full time in the Science Department from 1976 to 1980.  He earned his Masters in Education from the College of St. Thomas in 1978.  In the fall of 1985, he began teaching Health and Physical Education and became the Department Chair for Health and Physical Education in 1986.  He served as the Assistant Coach of the boys and girls track teams for ten years and Head Coach for ten seasons.  He has also coached both Boys and Girls Cross Country at Hill-Murray since the fall of 1979.  Tim currently is the Head Boys Cross Country Coach and assists with the girls team.  E-mail Tim Ryan at tryan@hill-murray.org