Time for PE

[Anonymous]

I do wish BASIS had more PE, but space is difficult. On the plus side, they walk up and down 6 flights a day!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the point of this law if no school complies? While I can see that some schools may struggle because of lack of space, it can't be that difficult for all schools. At least make a gesture for 2 PE periods a week even if you can't meet the 2.5 hour requirement. Schools can also get creative with incorporating movement throughout the school day. It's a cop out to say that it's impossible to achieve. Kids need exercise and down time. These are kids after all.

Money - they'd have to hire more PE teachers.

Even if they did hire more PE teachers they would need to subtract from other specials (unlikely but possible) or core requirements (never going to happen). Upper ES, MS & HS schools have options for extracurricular sports outside of the school day where that can be easily met. Younger children have recess, aftercare activities, walking/biking to school etc

The idea of .5 hrs/day in PE generally sounds like a bad idea whatever "standard" is written. An hour/week could be doable but there are many other ways to get exercise outside of PE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do wish BASIS had more PE, but space is difficult. On the plus side, they walk up and down 6 flights a day!

Does repeatedly filling out quiz forms qualify as exercise?

[Anonymous]

In DCPS high school students must take 2 semesters of PE to graduate.

Much of it is health education - worksheets on nutrition, lectures on ways to manage stress as well as movement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is ridiculous for any school to think that kids should just sit for six hours with no physical activity and stay focused. Take them for a walk, at least.

This

[Anonymous]

Is Basis planning on finding a better location that at least has a courtyard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is Basis planning on finding a better location that at least has a courtyard?

They actually bought that building and were refinancing it last year.

They are seeking a new location for their proposed Pk-4 school. It is likely that 5th grade would no longer be on 8th Street if that happens.

[Anonymous]

I guess the snark about BASIS should be expected on this listserv. The kids get to exercise at the navy memorial and the Mall. Lots of after school activities, including running club and track and field.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess the snark about BASIS should be expected on this listserv. The kids get to exercise at the navy memorial and the Mall. Lots of after school activities, including running club and track and field.

Where again is the snark? This thread, incredibly, has been very civil and on topic about compliance with the HSA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I guess the snark about BASIS should be expected on this listserv. The kids get to exercise at the navy memorial and the Mall. Lots of after school activities, including running club and track and field.

Where again is the snark? This thread, incredibly, has been very civil and on topic about compliance with the HSA.

12:50 is a little snarky. I laughed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the point of this law if no school complies? While I can see that some schools may struggle because of lack of space, it can't be that difficult for all schools. At least make a gesture for 2 PE periods a week even if you can't meet the 2.5 hour requirement. Schools can also get creative with incorporating movement throughout the school day. It's a cop out to say that it's impossible to achieve. Kids need exercise and down time. These are kids after all.

Money - they'd have to hire more PE teachers.

Exactly. Just do the math: for each space available for PE, you have 7 standard periods per day (6 classes plus lunch/recess). The teacher needs to take lunch so really 6 classes per day can use one PE space and one PE teacher. So one teacher + one PE space = 30 (40-45 min.) classes per week. Each of your classrooms needs between 3 and 4 periods of PE per week to comply with HSA. The largest elementary schools, with 4 and 5 classes per grade (excluding PK) have 30 classrooms and so would need space and PE teachers to run between 90 and 120 PE classes per week. But they each have one gym and one PE teacher, and so can only manage 30-35 classes, depending on how long of a lunch break they can give the PE teacher in a day.

Also, presently, every minute of the day is accounted for, so for each classroom, what are you going to eliminate to fit in those additional 2-3 PE classes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I guess the snark about BASIS should be expected on this listserv. The kids get to exercise at the navy memorial and the Mall. Lots of after school activities, including running club and track and field.

How does after-school activity improve mental focus during the school day?

[Anonymous]

My first grader has 1 hour of PE (2x 30 minutes a week). And 5 hours of recess a week (2 x 30 minutes a day).

[Anonymous]

Kids don't LEARN anything at PE. They just run around and let their brains take a break. Do parents really think kids need a PE class?? Or are you just wanting your kids to be able to take a break? I just do not think not having PE is a big deal. But I do support breaks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is the point of this law if no school complies? While I can see that some schools may struggle because of lack of space, it can't be that difficult for all schools. At least make a gesture for 2 PE periods a week even if you can't meet the 2.5 hour requirement. Schools can also get creative with incorporating movement throughout the school day. It's a cop out to say that it's impossible to achieve. Kids need exercise and down time. These are kids after all.

Money - they'd have to hire more PE teachers.

Exactly. Just do the math: for each space available for PE, you have 7 standard periods per day (6 classes plus lunch/recess). The teacher needs to take lunch so really 6 classes per day can use one PE space and one PE teacher. So one teacher + one PE space = 30 (40-45 min.) classes per week. Each of your classrooms needs between 3 and 4 periods of PE per week to comply with HSA. The largest elementary schools, with 4 and 5 classes per grade (excluding PK) have 30 classrooms and so would need space and PE teachers to run between 90 and 120 PE classes per week. But they each have one gym and one PE teacher, and so can only manage 30-35 classes, depending on how long of a lunch break they can give the PE teacher in a day.

Also, presently, every minute of the day is accounted for, so for each classroom, what are you going to eliminate to fit in those additional 2-3 PE classes?

Mary Cheh should be sued for legislative malpractice for writing this law. And the rest of he Council shouldn't have passed it.

The title of the law sounds great but it is impractical and unachievable. Schools should 'do the right thing' as Grosso said to the Post? How exactly.