The following is a list of basic requirements that has been established by the Plano Independent School District and the Texas Education Agency. These requirements must be met and maintained to be eligible for participation in the program.

The purpose of the program is to accommodate students who are making a serious effort to develop high level capabilities and to allow them to be involved in an off campus program that provides training exceeding that offered in the school district.
Off-Campus physical activity programs will be approved for only those students who have been strongly recommended by qualified instructors.
No off-campus program will be allowed if located more than fifteen (15) miles from the Plano Independent School Administration Building.
Only those students in grades six (6) through twelve (12) will be eligible for consideration for the off-campus program. No students in elementary school will be considered for the off-campus program.
Only those students involved in the activities of SWIMMING, TENNIS, BALLET, ICE HOCKEY, ICE SKATING, GYMNASTICS, EQUESTRIAN, ART SKATING, MARTIAL ARTS, FENCING, TRACK CYCLING, LACROSSE, ROCK CLIMBING AND MIDDLE SCHOOL GOLF will be considered.
Students applying for Off-Campus Physical Education will be considered under two (2) categories.

CATEGORY ONE: These programs involve a minimum of fifteen (15) hours per week of highly intense, professionally supervised training. Students qualifying at this level may be dismissed from school one period per day for such participation.

CATEGORY TWO: These programs are to be of high quality, well supervised by appropriately trained instructors, and consisting of a minimum of ten (10) hours per week. Students certified to participate at this level MAY NOT be dismissed from any part of the regular school day.

Please Note: High School and Senior High School students participating in either category may receive a maximum of one half credit per semester. One and a half credits of physical education are required to graduate. A total of two credits of physical education may be earned toward state high school graduation requirements. If a student has previously earned a maximum of two credits of physical education toward high school graduation, he/she may still enroll in the Plano ISD Off-Campus Physical Education Program but receive NO CREDIT toward state high school graduation requirements.

The student must participate a minimum of four (4) days during the week (Monday through Friday) plus an additional day that may fall on either the weekend or during the week. All such participation must always be under the direct supervision of the instructor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q What are the qualified activities open for off campus PE?

A Swimming, Tennis, Ballet, Ice Hockey, Ice Skating, Gymnastics, Equestrian, Art Skating, Martial Arts, Fencing, Track Cycling, Lacrosse, Rock Climbing, and Middle School Golf.

Q Why is there a cost for off campus PE?

A This program is optional to students in Plano ISD and the fee is to offset the cost associated with administering the program.

Q How many days a week must a student be enrolled in the qualified activity?

A A student must be enrolled in his/her supervised activity for 5 days a week. The student must participate a minimum of four (4) days during the week (Monday through Friday) plus one (1) additional day that may fall on either the weekend or during the week for a total of five (5) days per week.

Q How many hours must a student be in practice every day?

A The number of hours must add up to 10 or 15 hours depending upon the requested category. The number of hours must be spread over 5 days a week. The student must participate a minimum of four (4) days during the week (Monday through Friday) plus one (1) additional day that may fall on either the weekend or during the week for a total of five (5) days per week.

Q Can an elementary student be enrolled in off campus PE?

A No, the program is only open to students in grades 6-12.

Q Who changes the student’s schedule to reflect Off Campus PE?

A After the application is approved in the Curriculum Department, the counselor at the student’s home campus will change his/her schedule to reflect off campus PE.

Application Procedure

The application includes:

area to be completed by the student/parent
area for signature of school counselor
area to be read and completed by parent/guardian and student
area to be completed and signed by the facility instructor
general guidelines for Off-Campus Physical Education

2008-2009 OCPE Application(23k)

Procedures:

Student picks up application in counselor’s office.
Counselor must sign the application form.
Upon completion the application and fee are mailed to the following:

Melanie Kelley
Off Campus PE Program Coordinator
Plano Independent School District
2700 West 15th Street
Plano, TX 75075
Phone: 469-752-8198
Fax: 469-752-8031
Email Address: Melanie.Kelley@pisd.edu

After application is reviewed a confirmation letter to parents will be sent out. A report will be sent to all counselors listing all approved OCPE students. At that time the counselors will put OCPE on the student’s schedule.
Off-campus physical education will not be on student's schedule until approval from the Curriculum Department..
Parents and students need to confirm that OCPE is on the student’s schedule at the beginning of each semester and is receiving a grade for each six weeks.
OCPE will not show up on schedules for middle school students enrolled in Category 2. If you have any questions please check with your school counselor.
A new OCPE application must be submitted each school year.

Fees:

THE ENROLLMENT FEE OF $125.00 PER SEMESTER IS IN EFFECT UNLESS A SINGLE PAYMENT OF $200.00 IS MADE FOR BOTH SEMESTERS AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR. SPLIT PAYMENTS OF $125.00 AT THE BEGINNING AND $75.00 LATER ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. IF A STUDENT DROPS OCPE, A NON-REFUNDABLE REGISTRATION FEE OF $50.00 will be subtracted from your original payment for one/both semesters in the event of a refund. NO STUDENT WILL BE ENROLLED WITHOUT PAYMENT. CHECKS ARE MADE PAYABLE TO PLANO ISD. Mail completed application and fee to Melanie Kelley, Coordinator Off-Campus Physical Education, Plano ISD, 2700 West 15th Street, Plano, TX 75075.