The sad state of PE in MCPS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:private schools run their middle school sports as last period of the day. The kids must get changed and participate. They play against each other.

This is a great idea. Also students who are in sports should be excused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is the state of PE in MCPS now?

Still absolute garbage and no one is focused or interested in addressing it. Given the other areas of failure in MCPS, I understand why this isn't a top priority, but it's a serious problem because maybe if PE was real, kids would get the mental, psychological and developmental benefits that come with regularly practicing sports.

Have you been in a PE class in your life? Other than in elementary school.

Yes. I have. Went through PE in middle and high school in MCPS. What is your point?

Do truly believe that weekly, or even daily, PE would give kids the "mental, psychological and developmental benefits that come with regularly practicing sports?"

Yes? I’m not sure why this is a question.

[Anonymous]

PE should be pass/fail. Either you participate and you pass or you don't and you fail. No need for grades. I mean seriously how do you grade someone on PE skills? Not everyone is a born athlete but if they at least participate to the best of their ability than that should be good enough. Quite honestly, we probably don't need to spend money on teacher salaries for this. Any competent person who enjoys athletics could facilitate these classes (maybe a para/instructional assistant).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How is the state of PE in MCPS now?

Still absolute garbage and no one is focused or interested in addressing it. Given the other areas of failure in MCPS, I understand why this isn't a top priority, but it's a serious problem because maybe if PE was real, kids would get the mental, psychological and developmental benefits that come with regularly practicing sports.

Have you been in a PE class in your life? Other than in elementary school.

Yes. I have. Went through PE in middle and high school in MCPS. What is your point?

Do truly believe that weekly, or even daily, PE would give kids the "mental, psychological and developmental benefits that come with regularly practicing sports?"

Yes? I’m not sure why this is a question.

Your optimism is admirable.

[Anonymous]

To blame is the MCPS PE supervisor. There is no accountability from the top down.

[Anonymous]

Making MS kids change their clothes is criminal. It was horrible when I was a kid and it still is for kids today. Plus many kids DGAF about sports. They should be allowed to dance to music videos instead. At least they'll be getting exercise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Making MS kids change their clothes is criminal. It was horrible when I was a kid and it still is for kids today. Plus many kids DGAF about sports. They should be allowed to dance to music videos instead. At least they'll be getting exercise.

Exactly. Dance and biking could should be other options instead of all the sports of pe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Meh... my kid isn't into sports except one. They do it outside MCPS and get plenty of exercise. They don't need that nonsense.

Good for you, I guess.

Meanwhile, Maryland has the 10th highest childhood obesity rate in the country: https://www.mymcmedia.org/maryland-has-10th-highest-childhood-obesity-rate-in-u-s/#:~:text=In%20Montgomery%20County%2C%20the%20obesity,the%20Youth%20Risk%20Behavior%20Study.

Wonder if getting them to actually exercise during PE might help?

Doubt it but MCPS could start with healthier lunches.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Making MS kids change their clothes is criminal. It was horrible when I was a kid and it still is for kids today. Plus many kids DGAF about sports. They should be allowed to dance to music videos instead. At least they'll be getting exercise.

Exactly. Dance and biking could should be other options instead of all the sports of pe

In HS they do have dance. Most schools would not have a place to bike. I'd like them to offer a waiver for kids in year round sports

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To blame is the MCPS PE supervisor. There is no accountability from the top down.

Cara Grant is the PE supervisor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The state of PE at my kids' DCC high school is depressing. Many kids don't change. They walk around on their cell phones and just hang out. The PE teachers don't care and none of the kids actually learn how to play sports.

This is NOT what my experience was like as a kid in MCPS. You were required to change for PE and if you didn't change or participate, it impacted your grade. I was exposed to a wide array of sports including, volleyball, badminton, fencing, tennis, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, basketball, baseball, kickball, gymnastics, track and field, etc.

All for free and through MCPS and through my PE class. I didn't do sports as an extracurricular.

If PE is not going to be taken seriously, and if kids aren't going to be required to be physically active and engaged in the class, then why should it even be required?

Who's to blame for this mess?

So many problems in MCPS, and you're worried about PE? Given the sad state of reading, math, writing, heck, attendance, plus fights, drugs and so much more, bad PE class doesn't even make my list of concerns. But if PE is your soapbox, by all means, climb up and shout. However, don't be surprised if the rest of us ignore you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:private schools run their middle school sports as last period of the day. The kids must get changed and participate. They play against each other.

This is a great idea. Also students who are in sports should be excused.

Do private MS’ have 1000+ kids?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting idea from a Whitman student: Count student athletics as P.E. credit: https://theblackandwhite.net/64647/opinion/mcps-qualify-school-sports-as-p-e-credits/

The main point of a P.E. credit is so students can exercise, so for student athletes, this requirement isn’t only excessive, but also unnecessary—they already spend countless hours exercising outside of school with their respective sports teams. Student Member of the Board elect Nate Tinbite proposed removing the P.E. credit requirement for athletes who play on a school sports team. MCPS should adopt this policy and qualify two or more seasons of school sports as a P.E. credit, so students have adequate time in school to pursue their interests and take other classes.

Eliminating the P.E. requirement for student athletes allows student athletes to explore other topics of interest. The average Whitman athlete spends around two hours at practice for five to six days a week. With more time to delve into new subjects and classes, student athletes can become more well-rounded individuals instead of spending most of their time exercising.

If student athletes are exempt from the credit, each gym class will have fewer students. Teachers will be able to give students increased attention and instruction—especially to those who aren’t as athletic. In addition, students won’t need to substitute out as frequently, making students active for longer periods of time and each class more productive.

Makes sense to me. I bet no one on the BoE or at MCPS has ever even considered this idea....

Lol, well-rounded. My guess is they want to get a "rigor" or "GPA weight" advantage over non-athletes by taking more academic classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:private schools run their middle school sports as last period of the day. The kids must get changed and participate. They play against each other.

This is a great idea. Also students who are in sports should be excused.

Do private MS’ have 1000+ kids?

Excuses. My public MS in the 90s was huge. We still changed for sports at the end of the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Making MS kids change their clothes is criminal. It was horrible when I was a kid and it still is for kids today. Plus many kids DGAF about sports. They should be allowed to dance to music videos instead. At least they'll be getting exercise.

Um, speaking as a former MCPS dance teacher, changing out should absolutely be required. I'd have girls come in jeans every day with Crocs and refuse to even take their shoes off (and we couldn't force them to) and attempt ballet in street clothes. It was a joke.