Some bad news…
“When it comes to being lean, mean athletic machines, California children just aren't making the cut. In fact, a meager 30 percent of state students met California's fitness standards in 2006, a 1-percent gain over last year.”
Before I even read this, I was on my way to the Chico library on Wednesday and passed Hooker Oaks Elementary School. There was a parade of children running laps around the school yard. Correction; there was a dozen children running among hundreds that were strolling. Some would run for about thirty seconds at the urging of some distant teacher and as soon as that teachers attention was diverted, they were back to strolling.
Doesn’t anyone understand that our schools are broken? Physical education “standards” are met? by the time a student reaches the 11th grade. We have very few vocational classes available anymore. Music and art classes are distant history. Classroom time is getting shorter, not longer. ½ day Fridays? We ban sodas from school vending machines and then allow students off campus…to buy them somewhere else. Hello?
Note from the past; when I was attending El Camino Junior College in 1958, I had to take physical education classes. No choices…it was mandatory. Sure, I was upset about it, but all public schools had that requirement. If you didn’t like P.E. you had to go to a private college.
Presidential Fitness award...remember when that was a big deal...well I still think it is quite an accomplishment...Miss Megs has won it the last three years...she comes home with a sheet of paper that announces that she qualified...no big deal is made of it when it is handed to her with her other papers...no ceremony...nothing. She is later sent a medal and patch in the mail. But if she put it on her jacket everyone would wonder what the heck it is??? I remember when that was a big deal. Only a small percentage qualify for it-the fit kids...but now it is almost an afterthought to the school...wouldn't want some kids to feel bad that they aren't fit???
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