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Wednesday, June 30, 2010

News / Schools What Would You Do to Save Gym Class?

Posted by Stefan Kamph on Wed, Jun 30, 2010 at 1:59 PM

PE_class.jpg

Personally, I hated gym class with a fiery passion. The smelly shorts, the weird gym-floor grit that collected on your hands as you crabwalked or what-have-you to suit the sadistic teacher's whims, the occasional tide of relief that came with a session with The Parachute only to discover that you're going to have to "grab a pinnie" and do laps on the muddy field.

But still... I think our society would be a lot happier and more peaceful if everybody exercised. That's why I agree with Anna Griffin at the Oregonian, who says that gym class is a terrible thing to lose. She's responding to a recent announcement by Portland Public Schools that it may have to cut PE teaching positions to save money in the face of Governor Ted Kulongoski's 10% across-the-board budget cuts.

Some parents, health care organizations and corporations have launched an (expensive?) marketing campaign to encourage the school district to tap into $33 million of reserve funds rather than slash PE.

But, asks Griffin,

What about the year after that? Heck, what about the decade after that? Even if school board members opt to preserve PE and cut elsewhere, the broader dilemma remains: Trusting state leaders to solve our financial problems and the current state tax structure to adequately fund public services is like building a sand castle at the beach. Plan big. Work hard. And know that eventually, the tide will come along and erase all your hard work.

So: higher taxes? Or fatter kids? The school board met last night to talk about the budget situation—it looks like PE teacher cuts (among other options) are still on the table, although classroom teachers would be expected to lead students in "physical activities."

 

Comments (14) RSS

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1
The same is happening with music and arts, you guys should look into the types of teachers and classes that will be lost, and if that reserve could help any.
Posted by Atole on June 30, 2010 at 2:12 PM · Report
2
Gym sucks. We wouldn't want parents to take actual responsibility for the little illiterate lard@$$es.
Posted by D on June 30, 2010 at 2:17 PM · Report
3
I don't think gym class ever made a fat kid skinny.
Posted by towski on June 30, 2010 at 3:20 PM · Report
4
@twoski word. It's just really really humiliating for them.
Posted by kiala on June 30, 2010 at 3:36 PM · Report
5
Maybe take $250m lottery funds from the MAX to Milwaukie and use it to for schools.

Teachers or developers your choice.
Posted by Mike H. on June 30, 2010 at 3:48 PM · Report
6
use it for schools

sorry for the typo
Posted by Mike H. on June 30, 2010 at 3:49 PM · Report
7
Gym class is vital. Without it, the only movement many kids would get is jiggling the game controller and extending for the Zesty Cheetos. Fat kids become fat, diabetic kids, become fat diabetic adults to whose dialysis treatment we all get to contribute.

Gym class can be made fun. I know that's contrary to most all of our experiences. It's not that hard. A good PE instructor can plan creative activities and make the most awkward and reluctant kid feel comfortable. I've seen it happen. Unfortunately, still, too many gym teachers cater to the athletic kids to the detriment of everyone else.
Posted by TSW on June 30, 2010 at 4:03 PM · Report
8
@two squatting women: "A good PE instructor can plan creative activities"

Has anyone ever met a gym teacher that could be described as "good," "creative," or "vital"?
Posted by Evil Wm. Steven Humphrey on June 30, 2010 at 4:23 PM · Report
9
I'm with all the other "indoor kids:" fuck gym. Also, don't raid a reserve fund to temporarily cover a massive, structural funding problem.

Bottom line, if you have to cut $19M, there's gonna be some pain. My gym teachers had a saying about pain that I can't recall.
Posted by Commenty Colin on June 30, 2010 at 4:27 PM · Report
10
My daughter just finished second grade at a PPS school in North Portland. She has a really good and creative PE teacher. PE is not just running around or playing dodge ball like it was when I was a kid. There is a curriculum that incorporates nutrition, basic health lessons and other good life skills. The teacher also works with the PTA to host events like family fit and other activities.

Honestly, I don't know I am going to break it to my daughter that she won't be seeing her teacher anymore for PE.
Posted by pdxmom on June 30, 2010 at 4:58 PM · Report
11
@ Evil WSH,
What pdxmom said. There are other like in her example. Things are changing. Not all gym teachers are boner-in-the-tight-sweatpants dictatorial kind anymore.
Posted by TSW on June 30, 2010 at 5:07 PM · Report
12
My kid loves physical activities and is a bit put off by math.How much calculus[?] does one need to prepare for our "Grapes of Wrath"future?
Posted by Brad the quarterback on July 1, 2010 at 9:51 AM · Report
13
Man, I loved gym. What? Oh yes, I am one of those skinny, athletic people with naturally clear and vibrant skin.
Posted by Graham on July 1, 2010 at 10:34 AM · Report
14
The kids who really liked gym seemed to think it was okay that they were awful at math and reading and science and history, as long as they were good at gym. I'm kind of okay with taking gym away, and leaving kids to measure their success against only the real classes.
Posted by Reymont on July 1, 2010 at 1:33 PM · Report

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