Health is a condition of well-being that is required for the development of each individual and for society as a whole. Optimal health is dependent upon knowledge, attitude and behavior. The health courses offered are based upon New York State and North Colonie Curricula and has been approved by the Board of Education. The curriculum focuses on seven skill areas: Planning and Goal Setting, Decision Making, Communication, Stress Management, Self Management, Relationship Management and Advocacy. Topics are presented in connection to a specific skill area. The instructional focus is on promoting abstinence and to provide accurate, age appropriate information to support student's ability to make informed decisions, to problem solve, to be safe and to achieve
a high level of wellness. Health is offered during the sophomore year and students are required to pass this course in order to graduate. Students entering Shaker High School in grade 12 will be required to take Health
unless the requirement was fulfilled in a previous school. A choice is made to take either Health 901 or Health 902. Health 902 will only be offered if there is sufficient enrollment in the course. A summary of topics is listed below:

901 HEALTH

EITHER SEMESTER 1/2 UNIT
Prerequisite: None.
In this course topics will include nutrition, fitness, disordered eating, addiction, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, coping with loss, characteristics of healthy and unhealthy relationships, abstinence, contraception use and rates of effectiveness/ineffectiveness, sexually transmitted diseases and the HIV/AIDS curriculum which includes prevention
lessons.

902 HEALTH

SECOND SEMESTER 1/2 UNIT
Prerequisite: None.
This course includes the topics covered in Health 901 except for contraception use and rates of effectiveness/ineffectiveness and the prevention lessons on HIV/AIDS.