How do I get my kid not to take P.E? I heard one student isn't doing gym because of gymnastics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why the OP is being hated so much. She is just asking a questions that she can not find the answer to.

The question is innocent enough, but the way she insists for her child to be accommodated like an elite gymnast, when she has not given details of her child's baseball requirements and number of practice hours, or any proof that he is indeed at an elite level, is disingenuous.

+1 The point is that there are established, specialized, programs for elite athletes that preclude a full day's attendance at school. So, one of the classes that gets "cut" is PE. OP has given no indication that her son is in such a program nor, frankly, that such a program even exists for baseball.

[Anonymous]

When I was a kid, the overinvolved parents got their kids out of PE because it brought up their grade point average, since PE doesn't count as an honors (weighted) grade. I wonder if that's part of the motivation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why the OP is being hated so much. She is just asking a questions that she can not find the answer to.

The question is innocent enough, but the way she insists for her child to be accommodated like an elite gymnast, when she has not given details of her child's baseball requirements and number of practice hours, or any proof that he is indeed at an elite level, is disingenuous.

+1 The point is that there are established, specialized, programs for elite athletes that preclude a full day's attendance at school. So, one of the classes that gets "cut" is PE. OP has given no indication that her son is in such a program nor, frankly, that such a program even exists for baseball.

Thats why she is asking what the next steps are and how to know if your child is eligible...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, do you realize that PE is more than just playing sports?

In middle school and high school, PE also involves health -- including mental wellness, drug/alcohol use, sexual education, and in HS, it includes part of the drivers ed curriculum.

Does your child get all of that too?

I realize that. Maybe he could participate for only that portion of the P.E. class?

He sounds very, very special, OP. I hope the school recognizes this and gives him his due. He deserves to be treated completely differently from every other student in his school. Hopefully, they can create some new rules and a new schedule just for him.

I'm not saying other students don't deserve rights he would like to have. They can if they want to or think they deserve them. I'm just saying he would get more out of being healthy and fit by sticking to his sport he wants to excel in although he plays multiple sports.

+1000. This is what the every kid-needs-an-IEP-because-they-are-speccialll group sounds like. Except OP is completely off the rails.

You are exactly right. The school should have special rules for each child. I don't know why they can't do this. Good for you for fighting for this! I really hope the school can rewrite the PE policy so that every child's case is evaluated separately and special plans can be drawn up for each child.

[Anonymous]

OP should call the school, get a meeting with the appropriate people and ask. This is not rocket science.

[Anonymous]

Since no one actually answered the question...

What I have seen available is for Grades 7-8 as credit by objective for PE: http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/ALHNWP61F235/$file/R3209.pdf
Still have to complete the elements and the Health/FLE, unless opted out, but the actual physical education elements is covered by the athletic activity.

For High School I know a number of students have there schedule arranged and have some variation of the full day waiver:
http://www.boarddocs.com/vsba/fairfax/Board.nsf/files/AE8G3Y41E78C/$file/R2412.pdf

So for example, an 8th grade girl who is a USAG Level 8 artistic gymnast who practices 20+ hrs/week and qualifies for regionals isn't enough because there is not a national competition at that level (L9/L10 there is). I guess an equivalent would be for a boy playing AAU basketball who is invited to a national tournament does qualify.

As others have said (though, I agree not nicely...) a travel team isn't a high enough bar no matter the amount of time.

[Anonymous]

Lets not forget that OP mentioned that baseball isn't her son's only sport. She said he plays multiple sports.

How can he be equal to these elite gymnasts if he plays a bunch of sports?

[Anonymous]

What if your son was on a high level team like the EvoShield Canes one of the top 10 teams in the nation? Also it seems like girls in gymnastics or dance can only do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lets not forget that OP mentioned that baseball isn't her son's only sport. She said he plays multiple sports.

How can he be equal to these elite gymnasts if he plays a bunch of sports?

You realize as kids, multiple players who are currently professional in sports played multiple sports? In fact multiple sports increases your athleticism and doesn't overwork certain muscles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Also it seems like girls in gymnastics or dance can only do this.

And boys in gymnastics or dance. And I know an elite swimmer who has a waiver.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What would kids do instead, during gym time?

It frees up an elective if they are in MS or HS.

[Anonymous]

Your little snowflake is not special. Why don't you home school if you want special treatment?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, do you realize that PE is more than just playing sports?

In middle school and high school, PE also involves health -- including mental wellness, drug/alcohol use, sexual education, and in HS, it includes part of the drivers ed curriculum.

Does your child get all of that too?

I realize that. Maybe he could participate for only that portion of the P.E. class?

He sounds very, very special, OP. I hope the school recognizes this and gives him his due. He deserves to be treated completely differently from every other student in his school. Hopefully, they can create some new rules and a new schedule just for him.

+1. I actually feel really bad for the kid. Can you imagine growing up with this kind of mother?

Np. I don't feel bad for her kids. Her kid probably asked if he could stop doing PE since he already gets exercise from his outside sport. She then (gasp) tries to find out if it's possible. Not sure why you feel sorry for her kid and are being snarky. Some kids would like to do this to be able to do an extra elective like band, chorus, theater or a language. For an athlete who practices everyday, I think it would be great to be able to opt out of PE to take advantage of something else in the curriculum. They could still do the health component. OP is asking a similar question and I don't know why everyone is so snarky about this. It's a question.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Your little snowflake is not special. Why don't you home school if you want special treatment?

Wow. Are you this mean in real life? I think this is what is wrong with our country today, no civility. OP asked a question. People could just answer that this is generally allowed only for elite athletes competing at a national level. Why does everyone feel it necessary to pile on?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lets not forget that OP mentioned that baseball isn't her son's only sport. She said he plays multiple sports.

How can he be equal to these elite gymnasts if he plays a bunch of sports?

You realize as kids, multiple players who are currently professional in sports played multiple sports? In fact multiple sports increases your athleticism and doesn't overwork certain muscles.

uh.....then why is she afraid her kid will be playing other sports in PE?