Gym Class Every Day? Kids Say Yes

By Jim DeBrosse Staff Writer

KETTERING — Educators say there’s not enough time in the school day or money in their budgets to boost the state’s physical education requirements under a new bill about to be introduced into the Ohio legislature.

But grade school kids give the idea multiple thumbs way, way up. Just ask the fifth-graders at Greenmont Elementary School in Kettering, who took a break from smacking balls in the air during gym class to offer their opinions.

"I would like gym every day because we would get the energy out of us, and we wouldn’t have to take it out on our teachers," said Bianca McLaughlin. "And we get to talk to our friends."

"Yes, because we have fun running around," Chris Rhoades said.

"We’ll get more exercise every day, and that will help our selfesteem," Weston Baker said. "And mostly it’s just really fun."

Ohio, which ranks 10th in the country in obesity, is the only state in the union that has no statewide standards for physical education. Sen. Randy Gardner, R-Bowling Green, hopes to change that by introducing a bill Tuesday that would require daily gym classes in Ohio’s grade schools and a total of two semesters for junior and senior high.

Fairborn City Schools Superintendent Dave Scarberry said passage of the law would be one more unfunded mandate for educators.

"Who’s going to pay for it, and where am I going to find the instructional time during the day?" Scarberry asked. "I’m all for kids getting more exercise, but where do you draw the line?"

Gardner, a former high school history and government teacher, said daily exercise is crucial to good health and academic performance. He says his bill is flexible: It will allow grade schools to use recess time toward physical education and junior high students to earn high school credit for gym.

"If educators feel it’s important, they’ll find a way to make it happen," he said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2437 or jdebrosse@DaytonDailyNews.com. Not enough time in the school day Article on A6 More photos of area kids in action DaytonDailyNews.com

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