Schools Fail Physical Education, Students Pay the Price
By Gretchen Losi, Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.
Jun. 11–VICTORVILLE — At a time when legislation has outlawed the sale of junk food and sodas on school campuses, more than half of California schools are not providing the minimum amount of physical education to students.
In its report, the California Center for Public Health Advocacy found that three in five local school districts failed — higher than the county rate of 40 percent.
“We’re expecting a lot of our students and teachers. We’re cramming a lot into a day,” Christine McGrew said. “But we have to have our schools recognize the importance of physical activity in the school day.”
The study was fueled by growing concerns over the rise in childhood obesity by the same group that was instrumental in getting the ban on junk food legislation passed. The report identified three out of five local school districts that were out of compliance: Apple Valley, Barstow and Hesperia.
Of the districts named in the report, only Snowline Joint Unified and Adelanto school districts were reported to be in compliance. Some local school districts were not included in the report.
No one from Apple Valley or Hesperia school districts returned calls for comment Friday. But district officials from Barstow said the state changes the physical education criteria so often, it’s difficult for teachers to know what is and isn’t acceptable.
“It has to be specific activities; they don’t allow you to count recess anymore,” the district’s Director of Instructional Support Services Mickey Hirsch said.
She added that school and district officials are now working closer with teachers to make sure they have a clear understanding of what the law requires.
“That doesn’t surprise us at all,” Snowline’s Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum James Canter said about being on the list as fully compliant.
He said stressing physical fitness is part of his district’s philosophy.
“Our teachers have always felt there needs to be some balance with physical health and academics. Reports have shown that when kids are physically fit, it helps promote academic success,” Canter said.
But when fighting childhood obesity, the sole responsibility shouldn’t fall squarely on schools Canter said. Parents need to be proactive about their children’s health also.
“We really have a different society right now. There’s so much for students to do … electronic devices, video games and TV. We as parents need to continue to encourage our students to get outside.”
Tammy Reid agrees. A parent of four boys between the ages of 5 and 10, keeping her kids active and worn out by bedtime is a must.
“Kids need to be outdoors skating, riding bikes, playing sports … it’s not just the school’s responsibility. We need to do our part too,” Reid said.
Her son David, 8, has been in soccer for three years. She said she makes sure all her boys are in at least one sport all year long.
“Keeping them active makes them happy. When they go to sleep early from exhaustion, it makes me happy,” Reid said.
The law states children in grades 1 to 6 must complete 200 minutes of physical education every 10 days, and older students must complete 400 minutes every 10 days. The report states that while these are the minimum requirements by law, the schools out of compliance face no penalty.
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Copyright (c) 2006, Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.
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