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Hicksville Public Schools

Physical Education

Physical Education

The mission of the Physical Education Department is to provide all students with a comprehensive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment that promotes lifelong physical activity, health, wellness, and personal growth. Through quality instruction and meaningful experiences, students develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to lead active, healthy, and productive lives while demonstrating respect, responsibility, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Core Objectives of the Physical Education Department

  • Promote Lifelong Fitness: Encourage students to develop habits and behaviors that support lifelong participation in physical activity and healthy living.
  • Develop Physical Competence: Provide opportunities for students to improve motor skills, movement patterns, fitness levels, and overall physical literacy.
  • Enhance Health and Wellness: Educate students on the importance of physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being through fitness and healthy lifestyle choices.
  • Foster Character Development: Reinforce values such as teamwork, leadership, respect, responsibility, perseverance, and sportsmanship in all activities.
  • Create Inclusive Learning Experiences: Ensure that all students, regardless of ability level, have opportunities to participate, succeed, and feel valued in physical education settings.
  • Support Academic Success: Promote the connection between physical activity, improved concentration, mental health, and overall academic achievement.
  • Encourage Personal Goal Setting: Help students establish, monitor, and achieve individual fitness and wellness goals while developing self-confidence and self-management skills.
  • Provide Safe and Positive Environments: Maintain facilities, equipment, and instructional practices that prioritize student safety and well-being.
  • Prepare Students for Active Citizenship: Teach collaboration, communication, and leadership skills that extend beyond physical education and contribute to success in school and the community.

To inspire every student to embrace an active lifestyle, pursue personal wellness, and become a confident, responsible, and healthy member of society.

In summary, the overarching goal of the Physical Education Department is to develop healthy, physically literate, and socially responsible individuals who value and participate in lifelong physical activity.

  • Develop Physically Literate Students
    Equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to participate in a variety of physical activities throughout their lives.
  • Promote Lifelong Health and Wellness
    Encourage healthy habits and an understanding of the benefits of regular physical activity, proper nutrition, and overall wellness.
  • Improve Physical Fitness
    Help students enhance their cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and overall fitness levels through developmentally appropriate activities.
  • Foster Social and Emotional Growth
    Develop teamwork, communication, leadership, sportsmanship, self-discipline, and respect for others through cooperative and competitive activities.
  • Provide Inclusive and Equitable Opportunities
    Ensure all students have meaningful opportunities to participate, succeed, and experience personal growth regardless of ability or background.
  • Encourage Personal Responsibility and Goal Setting
    Teach students to set personal fitness goals, monitor progress, and take ownership of their health and well-being.
  • Create a Safe and Positive Learning Environment
    Maintain a supportive atmosphere where students feel comfortable taking risks, learning new skills, and engaging in physical activity.
  • Connect Physical Activity to Academic and Life Success
    Help students understand the relationship between physical activity, mental health, academic performance, and lifelong success.
  • Prepare Students for Lifelong Participation in Physical Activity
    Expose students to a wide range of individual, team, recreational, and fitness activities that can be enjoyed beyond their school years.
  • Model and Promote Healthy Decision-Making
    Empower students to make informed choices that contribute to a healthy, active, and balanced lifestyle.

Matthew Calarco

Director of Physical Ed., Health, Athletics, Drivers Ed., Intramurals & Aquatic Center

  • New York State Alliance for Health,
    Physical Education, Recreation and
    Dance Nassau Zone Chapter

    Circular logo for NYS AHPERD featuring a dark blue outline of New York State.

    Nassau Zone Award Recipients
    Hicksville High School

    Congratulations to our Class of 2026 Seniors
    Gabrielle Howell and Daniel Winn

    The following Students have been awarded the Nassau Zone Outstanding Physical Education Award based upon the following criteria:

    • Physical Education Achievement - earning above an "A" GPA every year in Physical Education Classes
    • Scholastically Sound - a student who has earned an overall GPA between a 3.0-4.0 and is working up to their potential
    • Outstanding Character - contributes to the overall positive tone of the Physical Education Classes as well as the school. The student makes an outstanding effort to be cooperative, honest, poised, self confident, attentive, industrious and enthusiastic. And at all times is working to support the instructional efforts of the class.
    • Physical Education Leader - leader in class activities and accepts responsibility well
    • School Wide Activities Leader - active in the leadership capacity within the school environment
    • Role Model - student achieves a high level of physical fitness as determined by individual accomplishments. Student demonstrates a positive attitude toward the instructional activity and provides support for the success of others.

    PAST RECIPIENTS OF THIS AWARD

    • 2026 – Gabrielle Howell and Daniel Winn
    • 2025 – Madison Tarra and Michael Cleary
    • 2024 – Olivia Hoffman and Dylan Donegan
    • 2023 – Madilynn Winters and Ryan McQuade
    • 2022 – Julia DeTurris and Ryan Hilton
    • 2021 – Emma Kaszovitz and John Kiss
    • 2020 – Emma DeJesus and Nicholas Hoene
    • 2019 – Amber Pelczynski and Amaury Mateo
    • 2018 – Caroline Ramos and Antonio Aguilar
    • 2017 – Fatemah Mukadum and Matthew Sloan
    • 2016 – Lucy Piacentini and Raymond Pietzak
    • 2015 – Noelle Batista and Robert Schmidt
    • 2014 – Keley Abbriano and Daniel Sloan
    • 2013 – Caitlyn Garger and Michael Fong
    • 2012 – Alexandra Cimino and Michael DeSimone
    • 2011 – Brittney Hoehing and Timothy Parker
    • 2010 – Kimberly Chirco and James Kinsepp
    • 2009 – Laura McNamara and Eric Holzapple
    • 2008 – Jessica D'Amico and Brian Freire
    • 2007 – Kacey Abbriano and Edward Albrecht

  • How much Physical Activity Should Children Get?

    Children should accumulate at least 60 minutes, and up to several hours, of age appropriate physical activity on all, or most days of the week.  

    • Children should participate in several short periods of physical activity lasting 15 minutes or more each day.
    • Children should participate each day in a variety of age-appropriate physical activities designed to achieve optimal health, wellness, and fitness with performance benefits.
    • Extended periods (periods of two hours or more) of inactivity are discouraged for children, especially during the daytime hours.
    • Expose youngsters to a wide variety of physical activities.
    • Teach physical skills to help maintain lifetime health and fitness.
    • Encourage self-monitoring so youngsters can see how active they are and set their own goals.
    • Personalize intensity of activities.
    • Focus feedback on process of doing their best rather than on product.

    Why is Exercise Important?

    Have you ever heard the expression "use it or lose it"? It's true! If you don't use your body, you will surely lose it. Your muscles will become flabby and weak. Your heart and lungs won't function efficiently. And your joints will be stiff and easily injured. Inactivity is as much of a health risk as smoking!

    Helps Prevent Diseases

    Our bodies were meant to move -- they actually crave exercise. Regular exercise is necessary for physical fitness and good health. It reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes and other diseases. It can improve your appearance and delay the aging process.

    Improves Stamina

    When you exercise, your body uses energy to keep going. Aerobic exercise involves continuous and rhythmic physical motion, such as walking and bicycling. It improves your stamina by training your body to become more efficient and use less energy for the same amount of work. As your conditioning level improves, your heart rate and breathing rate return to resting levels much sooner from strenuous activity.

    Strengthens and Tones

    Exercising with weights and other forms of resistance training develops your muscles, bones and ligaments for increased strength and endurance. Your posture can be improved, and your muscles become more firm and toned. You not only feel better, but you look better, too!

    Enhances Flexibility

    Stretching exercises are also important for good posture. They keep your body limber so that you can bend, reach and twist. Improving your flexibility through exercise reduces the chance of injury and improves balance and coordination. If you have stiff, tense areas, such as the upper back or neck, performing specific stretches can help "loosen" those muscles, helping you feel more relaxed.

    Controls Weight

    Exercise is also a key to weight control because it burns calories. If you burn off more calories than you take in, you lose weight. It's as simple as that.

    Improves Quality of Life

    Once you begin to exercise regularly, you will discover many more reasons why exercise is so important to improving the quality of your life. Exercise reduces stress, lifts moods, and helps you sleep better. It can keep you looking and feeling younger throughout your entire life.

    How Often Should I Exercise?

    The benefits of any exercise program will diminish if it's disrupted too frequently. A "stop-start" routine is not only ineffective, but can cause injuries. Being consistent with exercise, therefore, is probably the most important factor in achieving desired results.

    People often assume that more is better. Wrong! Doing too much too soon or performing intense exercises on a daily basis will have deleterious effects, such as muscle/tendon strains, loss of lean tissue, and fitness-level plateaus.

    If you are a beginner, start off slower than you think you should. Three days per week is realistic, safe and effective. If you are experienced, do cardiovascular (aerobic) exercises such as walking, jogging and bicycling for no more than 200 minutes per week with no more than 60 minutes per session.

    Weight training should be done no more than three times per week targeting the same muscle groups. Exercise the same muscle groups on non-consecutive days because muscles need adequate time to recover and cannot be effectively trained if they are tired or sore.

    Many people forget to stretch or make the excuse that they don't have the time. Flexibility is important, so make the time! Stretching can be done every day, but stick to a minimum of three times per week in order to reap the benefits. When the body is warmed up, such as after a workout session, perform five to 10 stretches that target the major muscle groups. Hold each stretch for 10-30 seconds.

  • Physical Education is an integral part of the total educational program.  It is that phase of education which provides an opportunity through activity for physical, mental and social development, and improvement of the individual to meet the challenges of life.  It is our mission to empower all students to sustain regular, lifelong physical activity as a foundation for high school experiences, and also a healthy, productive and fulfilling life.

    The Physical Education Staff provides the students with the opportunity to develop the body, mind and spirit. It is our vision to create an atmosphere of wellness that will extend into the community. The foundation of our program lies in physical fitness, social development, skill development and the acquisition of sport knowledge. These ingredients delivered with kindness and caring will enable our students to flourish. 

    Physical Education Staff

    Matthew Calarco - Director
    516-733-2245

    High School - 516-733-2200
     Peter Antonicelli - Coordinator
    Bonnie Stueber
    Lisa Nowakoski
    Charlie Schweizer
    Frank Ciaramitaro
    Jennifer Scott
    Matthew Canty

    Middle School - 516-733-2261
    Christine Mastrantonio - Coordinator
    Craig Stueber
    Laura Klimuszko
    Courtney Wall- Hance

    Old Country Road - 516-733-2301
    Robert Casale
    Ron Modik

    Lee Avenue - 516-733-2351
    Daniel Luu
    Alexandra Alonge
    Courtney Hance

    Dutch Lane - 516-733-2361
    Kevin Vandermark
    Kelli Lastig

    Fork Lane - 516-733-2341
    Arielle Theofield

    Woodland - 516-733-2331
    Megan Williamson
    Julia Bentrewicz

    East Street - 516-733-2321
    Jack Fabrizio
    Al Williamson

    Burns Avenue - 516-733-2311
    Katherine Alvino
    Al Williamson

  • New York State Commissioner’s Regulations require all students to be scheduled in Physical Education each week during each semester of the school year. Beginning in grade 9, a quarter credit is granted for successful completion of the course work each semester. This credit ( a total of 2 credits) is required for graduation. A numerical grading system is used for physical education, and is included in a student’s grade point average.

    Students are required to attend all regularly scheduled classes. They should dress in proper attire and participate. Proper attire includes gym shorts, T-shirt, sweat pants, warm-up suits, socks and sneakers. No jewelry or hats should be worn to class. Gum is not permitted in class.

    Physical Education Make-up Policy
    Students must make up missed classes and classes where they have been unprepared with the exception of excused absence. 

    Unexcused absences cannot be made up.

     Dates for all ‘Make up’ Classes are posted in all locker rooms throughout the school year.

    Classes must be made up within 1-2 weeks prior to the next quarter.
    Make-up classes will be provided before or after the school day (to be determined by each school’s physical education department and administration).

    Criteria for excused absences:

    1. Standardized exams
    2.  Educational commitments: curriculum (only) based activity either on or off campus (e.g., educational field trip, music lesson)- maximum 2 per marking period.
    3. Excused absence (e.g., illness, extracurricular commitment)- maximum 2 per marking period
    4. Extenuating circumstance to be determined by teacher, chairperson, or building administration.

    Grades shall be determined according to following criteria utilizing the rubric below:

    Attendance & Participation - Each student is expected to take an active part in all aspects of the curriculum. The desired result is to have each student give his/her best to achieve the objectives of the curriculum. Missing more than 3 classes (any combination of absences or unprepared) will require students to take make-up classes to receive a passing grade.

    Skill Development - Various rubrics will be utilized to assess the skill and knowledge of students.

    Exams - written and oral tests may be use to asses student learning. Differences in the capabilities of individuals will be taken into consideration when grading. Competencies will be utilized to set realistic goals toward the progression of the individual student.

    Physical Fitness - Includes CV Endurance, flexibility, muscle strength and endurance. Differences in the capabilities of individuals will be taken into consideration when grading.

    Cooperative Skills - students are expected be cooperative, positive and respectful of others.

    Safety Awareness - Students should be expected to follow all safety guidelines and Procedures.

    Personal Efforts - students should take appropriate risks and work enthusiastically to do his/her best. 

    Rubrics will be sent home the first week of school with your child for your signature. These are required to be signed by a parent/guardian and returned to the Physical Education Teacher.

    Grading Rubric
    Students grades will be based on the following criteria. For each area a point system will be provided which equals a numeric value. Students will also be provided the opportunity for self assessment in these areas. This rubric will be explained in detail to your child.
    Attendance and Preparation

    Students must be prepared for each class; proper attire includes shorts/sweats, T-shirt and sneakers. Student who are unprepared for class 3 times will be in danger of failing. Student will be able to make up classes during intramurals.

    4–Student is prepared for class

    0–Student is not prepared for class

    Physical Fitness

    4-Student seeks and invites challenge; attains excellence in all of the fitness components listed above.

    3-Student takes appropriate risks and accepts new challenges: attains an improved level of fitness in the components listed above.

    2-Student rarely accepts and invites fitness challenges: attains very little improvement in the fitness components listed above.

    1-Student needs constant encouragement or redirection to stay on task: Attains no improvement in the fitness components listed above.

    0-Student does not try to attain any fitness proficiency or improvement

    Cooperative Skills

    4-Student is cooperative. Student is a positive example to peers, respectful of other’s opinions and place group goals ahead of own ambitions.

    3-Student is frequently cooperative. Contributes in a positive manner.

    2-Student is sometime cooperative. Does not always contribute in a positive manner.

    1-Student is rarely cooperative.

    0-Student makes little or no attempt to cooperate.

    Safety Awareness

    4-Student can be counted on to follow all safety guidelines and procedures.

    3-Student occasionally needs to reminded of safety guidelines.

    2-Student often needs supervision to remind him/her of safety guidelines.

    1-Student requires individual supervision on a regular basis.

    0-Student does not follow guidelines.

    Cognitive Development (Student Knowledge)

    4-Student received between 90-100 on unit test; has excellent understanding of games rules, strategies and procedures.

    3-Student received between 80-90 on unit test; has a good understanding of game rules, strategies, and procedures.

    2-Student received between 70-80 on unit test; has fair understanding of games rules, strategies and procedures.

    1-Student received between 60-69 on unit test; has little understanding of games rules, strategies and procedures.

    0-Student received below a 59 on unit test; has poor understanding of game rules, strategies and procedures.

    Personal Efforts

    4-Student always takes appropriate risk and works hard to do his/her best; energetically involved in all activities.

    3-Student often tries hard to do his/her best; participates in all activities.

    2-Student sometimes needs to be addressed regarding actively taking part in lesson.

    1-Student tries but will give up easily.

    0-Student makes little or no effort to actively participate.

    Skill Development

    4-Student successfully performs all essential skills at a proficient level during activity (90-100% of the time).

    3-Student successfully performs most essential skills at a competent level during activity (80-90% of the time).

    2-Student performs skills fairly during activity.

    1-Student performs skills at an inconsistent level during activity.

    0-Student does not try to perform skills during activity.

  • New York State Commissioner’s Regulations require all students to be scheduled in Physical Education each week during each semester of the school year. Physical education is that area of the curriculum in which learning experiences are provided through the medium of motor movement. Physical education involves the social, emotional, intellectual and skill development of your child: Mind, Body and Spirit.

    Students are required to attend all regularly scheduled classes. Children should be dressed safely and appropriately for physical education classes. Students, kindergarten through 5th grades must dress appropriately on days they have Physical Education. They will be unable to change their clothes in the locker room or classroom. They must come to school prepared to participate. Physical Education attire includes sweatpants or shorts (no zippers, big pockets or loops, and not denim), t-shirt or sweatshirt, socks, and thin soled athletic sneakers.

    Students must not wear exposed jewelry during any phase of Physical Education class. Religious articles that may not be removed, should be tucked in, covered or secured with tape. Since elementary school students have difficulty removing pierced earrings, the students may wear posts if necessary but only if they have safety backs or are taped. Any hoop or dangling earrings may not be worn at any time.

     Physical Education Offers…

    “Physical Education is an important component of your child's education”

    • Challenging and innovative activities for students which promote positive, lifelong, healthy attitudes and behaviors.
    • Challenging and innovative activities for students which promote positive, lifelong, healthy attitudes and behaviors.
    • Opportunities to develop skill-related fitness, such as: balance, coordination, agility, strength and speed.
    • Opportunities to develop and maintain physical fitness, including cardio respiratory endurance, flexibility and muscular strength.
    • Opportunities to learn and apply skills and knowledge in a wide range of sports and lifetimes activities.
    • If you wish for your child to be excused from physical education activities, a written note is required to explain the situation. If the child is excused for more than two consecutive days when they have Physical Education, a doctor’s note is required. For extended absences a doctor’s note is required for your child to return to Physical Education class.

  • High School Intramural Dates

    If you are making up a class you must have a pass from your Physical Education Teacher. 
    Classes start promptly at 2:30 pm.

    High School PM Intramural - 2:30- 3:15 pm
    Ms.  Courtney Wall 
    Mr. Peter Antonicelli

    Extra Help – Tina Wright – John F. Kennedy Elementary School
    Middle School
    Ms. Christine Mastrantonio- Tuesday 7:00-7:30 Main Gym 
    Mr. Phil Essigman - Monday 2:30-3:00 Main Gym
    Mrs. Laura Klimuszko - Friday 2:30-3:00 Main Gym
    Mr. Craig Stueber - Monday 2:45-3:15 Main Gym

    High School 
    Mr. Peter Antonicelli - Wed. 7:00-7:30  Boys Gym
    Mr. Frank Ciaramitaro - Mon. 7:00-7:30  Boys Gym
    Mr. Charlie Schweizer - Wed. 7:00-7:30  Boys Gym
    Mr. Matthew Canty - Mon. 7:00-7:30  Boys Gym
    Ms. Courtney Wall - Wed. 2:30-3:30  Girls Gym
    Mrs. Lisa Nowakoski - Thursday 2:30-3:30  Room 123
    Mrs. Bonnie Stueber - Thursday 7:00-7:30 Main Gym

  • Fitness Links

    Athletics/Sports

  • "A choice to assume responsibility for the quality of your life. It begins with a conscious decision to shape a healthy lifestyle. Wellness is a mindset, a predisposition to adopt a series of key principles in varied life areas that lead to high levels of well-being and life satisfaction."

    Wellness is imbedded throughout the Physical Education Program as indicated by the following list of objectives.

    Psychomotor Objectives

    The student will demonstrate proficiency or show improvement in:

    • gaining muscular endurance, strength, cardiorespiratory, flexibility, agility, power, coordination, speed and balance.
    • acquisition of throwing, catching, kicking, striking, rolling, dribbling, shooting, passing and rebounding skills.
    • active participation.
    • finding his/her heart rate.
    • finding his/her target heart zone.
    • taking a resting and active heart rate.

    Affective Objectives

     The student will develop an appreciation of:

    • personal living skills of respect for others, leadership, followership, risk taking & initiative.
    • the concept of team work and cooperation.
    • the emotional and physical well being necessary to participate in any sport, game, or activity.
    • fitness as a part of one's lifestyle.
    • individual skills of self and others.

    Cognitive Objectives

    The student will be able to:

    • demonstrate an understanding of safe participation in fitness activities.
    • understand the components of fitness (muscular endurance, strength, cardiorespiratory and flexibility).
    • determine fitness related activities that are available.
    • identify basic anatomical, biomechanical and physiological principles involved in fitness, sport and physical activity
    • demonstrate a knowledge of terminology, position, play situations and game strategies.