I think we can all agree physical education is undesirable. As I walk through our hallways, I often hear complaints about enduring irrelevant examinations and having to wake up early all in the effort to satisfy a physical education requirement that seems… meaningless. Many of us are already physically fit, some even inclined. We’ve grown used to the detailed information about getting healthier, but at the same time... we are already healthy, right?
Personally, I regularly work out to stimulate my participation in marching band, cross country, and soccer. I consider myself reasonably healthy. However, some would argue there’s relevant and helpful information covered in class, usually pertaining to the importance of physical and (hopefully) mental health. Wouldn’t it be great if there was an option for healthy students (who participate in athletics, exercise, etc.) who want to improve their wellness without improving their physique?
As crazy as it might sound, such an option exists… just not at Xavier. They’re called waivers, magical slips of paper that exempt select students from physical education (to a certain extent). Many (if not most) high schools implement, in some form, a physical education waiver program. For example, at George Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, there are four kinds of waivers students can apply for: sport, academic (enrollment in six or more academic courses), show choir/marching band, or medical. Each waiver is only applicable for one trimester and can be used only once per school year. In order to receive a waiver, students must pass the “passer test,” or in other words, receive a passing grade on a basic health and wellness written exam. Under this system, healthy students (who participate in supervised, strenuous exercise) are given the opportunity to pass out of a physical education class, while at the same time improving their physical health.
While some may argue that students do not receive a complete exercise or education through show choir, marching band, or athletics, I beg to differ. Having personally participated in all three of these activities, I can tell you each and every one requires far more physical endurance and strength than any gym class I’ve ever taken. To confirm this, the school ensures these exercises are supervised by educated adults whose opinions about physical education align with those of their corresponding school. Further, by passing their basic health examination, students prove that they’ve already been sufficiently educated on the importance of physical health.
Based on the reasons above, I think Xavier should implement a physical education waiver program similar to that of George Washington High School because of the potential benefits. Such a program would ensure 1) students are being sufficiently educated on the topic, 2) students are enduring sufficient exercise, and 3) the hassles and inconveniences of physical education (such as missing a potential class, activity, or summer month) would dissipate. If you agree with my views, you can take action. This topic is still up for discussion amongst the school board. Talk to your local teacher, principal, superintendent, president, etc. and ask them: why didn’t you like gym class as a kid?
Personally, I regularly work out to stimulate my participation in marching band, cross country, and soccer. I consider myself reasonably healthy. However, some would argue there’s relevant and helpful information covered in class, usually pertaining to the importance of physical and (hopefully) mental health. Wouldn’t it be great if there was an option for healthy students (who participate in athletics, exercise, etc.) who want to improve their wellness without improving their physique?
As crazy as it might sound, such an option exists… just not at Xavier. They’re called waivers, magical slips of paper that exempt select students from physical education (to a certain extent). Many (if not most) high schools implement, in some form, a physical education waiver program. For example, at George Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, there are four kinds of waivers students can apply for: sport, academic (enrollment in six or more academic courses), show choir/marching band, or medical. Each waiver is only applicable for one trimester and can be used only once per school year. In order to receive a waiver, students must pass the “passer test,” or in other words, receive a passing grade on a basic health and wellness written exam. Under this system, healthy students (who participate in supervised, strenuous exercise) are given the opportunity to pass out of a physical education class, while at the same time improving their physical health.
While some may argue that students do not receive a complete exercise or education through show choir, marching band, or athletics, I beg to differ. Having personally participated in all three of these activities, I can tell you each and every one requires far more physical endurance and strength than any gym class I’ve ever taken. To confirm this, the school ensures these exercises are supervised by educated adults whose opinions about physical education align with those of their corresponding school. Further, by passing their basic health examination, students prove that they’ve already been sufficiently educated on the importance of physical health.
Based on the reasons above, I think Xavier should implement a physical education waiver program similar to that of George Washington High School because of the potential benefits. Such a program would ensure 1) students are being sufficiently educated on the topic, 2) students are enduring sufficient exercise, and 3) the hassles and inconveniences of physical education (such as missing a potential class, activity, or summer month) would dissipate. If you agree with my views, you can take action. This topic is still up for discussion amongst the school board. Talk to your local teacher, principal, superintendent, president, etc. and ask them: why didn’t you like gym class as a kid?