PE Department Memo

September 18, 2025

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Now that our Physical Education classes are becoming more rigorous and active, we wanted to send out a few reminders. Please be assured that our primary goal is to create a safe environment for all students. We closely monitor weather conditions and follow all district guidelines.

Clothing: At BVMS, our students are required to dress for PE every day, in any weather condition.

Although daytime highs have become slightly cooler, we will still have some hot days ahead. Please remind your children of the importance of dressing appropriately for the weather. The comfort and well-being of our students are our top priorities, and we want to ensure that they can focus on learning and enjoy their time at school without being overheated or uncomfortable.

While we understand that students often have personal style preferences, we kindly ask for your support in encouraging your child to dress in a way that is both cool and appropriate for the school day. Specifically, we are noticing that some students have been wearing long pants, hoodies, and beanies, which are not ideal during hot days. These clothing choices may contribute to overheating and discomfort during the school day. Additionally, this means that students may arrive to PE class already overheated, or have difficulty cooling down after physical activity.

We recommend that students wear lightweight, breathable clothing such as:

● Short-sleeve shirts or blouses

● Shorts or lightweight pants

● Hats or caps to protect against the sun

● Comfortable, weather-appropriate footwear

As we approach Fall and Winter and temperatures begin to cool, as an option, students are allowed to wear a crewneck sweatshirt over their uniform. For safety reasons, we will not allow students to wear anything with a hood, pockets, zippers, strings, as these can become a hazard.

Nutrition: As we continue to engage students in physical activities and physical education classes, we also want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of proper nutrition and hydration. Ensuring that students are well-nourished and hydrated before PE class is essential for their health, energy levels, and overall performance.

A balanced breakfast and a healthy snack can make all the difference in your child's ability to focus and participate fully in physical activities. We recommend that students eat foods that provide lasting energy, such as:

● Whole grains (like oatmeal or whole wheat toast)

● Fresh fruits (bananas, apples, berries)

● Protein-rich options (yogurt, eggs, nuts)

Hydration: Proper hydration is crucial for preventing fatigue, cramps, and dehydration during physical activities. We encourage students to drink water regularly throughout the day, especially before and after PE class. Please remind your child to bring a reusable water bottle to school each day to ensure they have access to water when they need it most.

By ensuring that students are well-prepared with the right fuel and hydration, we can help them get the most out of their PE classes and stay healthy, energized, and engaged in their physical education activities.

Exercise: As part of our ongoing efforts to encourage physical activity, teamwork, and mindfulness, while meeting the State Standards, we will sometimes be asking students to either place their hands on or sit on the blacktop or grass during certain exercises and activities. PE department closely monitors the surface temperature of the blacktop to ensure the safety of the students.

We understand that some students may find it uncomfortable to sit or place their hands directly on these surfaces. If your child feels uncomfortable with this, we encourage them to bring a towel or mat from home to sit or place their hands on, if they choose. This will provide an extra layer of comfort during the activity.

We want to make sure every student feels at ease while participating in activities and exercises. If your child chooses to bring a towel or mat, please remind them to be responsible, keep track of it, and return it to their locker every day.

Thank you for your continued support in helping our students thrive both inside and outside the classroom. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to your child’s Physical Education teacher.

The Physical Education Department

Douglas Kossak dkossak@tvusd.us

Darren Caster dcaster@tvusd.us

Julie Gautsche jgautsche@tvusd.us

Makayla Jacoub mjacoub@tvusd.us

David Reisinger dreisinger@tvusd.us