Our History
The Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (MAHPERD) is a non-profit organization for professionals and students dedicated to promoting healthy and active lifestyles. The organization was in existence in 1935 as Massachusetts Society of the American Physical Education Association, before changing to the Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation and finally adding “Dance” to its name in 1983. The organization has defined excellence in physical education, and resources provide the leadership, professional development and advocacy that support health and physical educators at every level - from preschool to university graduate programs.
Publications: the "Journal", the magazine of MAHPERD, was published three times per year. It was called "Newsletter" in the 1947/1948 season. Its name was changed to "Journal" in the fall of 1967. "Newsletter", an additional print communication for MAHPERD, published two to four times a year, was started in addition to the “Journal” in Fall 1995 and is now available online in digital format. The “Journal” publication is no longer produced.