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Message |
Steve Jefferies (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 53
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, September 29, 2006 - 3:32 pm: |       |
The pelinks4u October 2006 editorial is entitled "PE for Sale: Will Corporate America Replace Public School Physical Education?". Please post comments to the editorial in the thread.
(Message edited by admin on October 31, 2006) |
Rose Gelrod (Rosegelrod)
New member
Username: Rosegelrod
Post Number: 1
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 9:22 am: | |
Steve, I so agree that corporate america is in the answer. For example, a local gym could provide transportation to and from the gym four times a week during the hours the gym is least busy. And, the children could participate in cardio, strength, and flexibility exercise in a developmentally appropriate way designed by the p.e. teacher and the personal/group trainer for the specific child. The children could spend from 30 -45 minutes there and be returned to school. One of the tricks with making this successful would be getting the principal to sign off on releasing the children. Thoughts?
Rose Gelrod
Harlem Day Charter School
NY NY |
Kymm Ballard (Ncpe4kids)
Junior Member
Username: Ncpe4kids
Post Number: 4
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 - 7:53 am: | |
Well, as usual, very well done. I certainly have mixed emotions. I do think corporate is gaining on physical education but I think it is because many PE classes are still teaching in the 19th Century. I think some schools have moved into the 20th Century and I am worried as we move into the 21st Century. Regardless of our efforts, obesity is still on the rise.
As I have led the NASPE Ad Hoc for Online Physical Education, I have learned that seriously do need to consider the role of the physical educator. It appears that this discussion always brings up fitness, online PE may enhance fitness, and now corporate world wants to help with fitness.
Fitness is a very important component. However, aren’t there several other national standards that need to be met also or do we forget them? Are they hampering progress? I do not believe this, but it certainly play into the equation of what students need and what schools provide. The hardest standard to find in today’s PE class (and even harder in the online courses) is the social component. Is it time we focus on fitness rather then skill development (which leads to lifetime fitness?) To me, the corporate world is not providing physical education it is providing health care. So, I see the questions as, Is it time to allow corporate folks to provide health care to our students?
Steve, you raise very good questions that do have to be explored!
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Ron T. Malm (Focused)
New member
Username: Focused
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 - 12:43 pm: | |
Thank you Mr. Jeffries for exposing an issue EVERY physical educator should be thinking about, if for no other reason than job security. How much longer do we as physical educators think we are going to be needed, when the majority of our time is being used to teach a sport based program?
It is my opinion that a quality physical education program strives to teach fitness and health concepts, fitness related activities and motor skills equally. Our history has shown us to be great teachers of motor skills and fitness related activities but without the connection to fitness and health concepts we are missing out on truly affecting every child. How many adults do we know that still play sports consistently?
If we are going to keep our jobs and make an impact with today’s youth it is imperative that we look at what we are doing that is good and also what we are doing that can be modified or changed. If we don’t it is only a matter of time before big business sucks us up!
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Deborah Petruzzello (Dpetruzzello)
New member
Username: Dpetruzzello
Post Number: 1
Registered: 10-2006
| | Posted on Friday, October 20, 2006 - 4:55 am: | |
Thinking like corporate America may not be such a bad idea –they saw the need need for exercise and activity and acted upon that need successfully. The fact that the change was made as society changed is the key. Education seems to be slow to adapt and/or change to the needs of society. The amount of time for physical education has not seen much improvement over the years, yet the evidence is overwhelming for that need. If legislature does not make the change (not just guidelines), schools will continue to be satisfied with what already exists. Even though one’s health affects everything one does (and this is a data driven statement), not enough administrators are taking heed of the data and increasing school activity time. Nutrition is being addressed to a degree in many schools as they adopt “wellness" policies. The connection still needs to be made between all the separate programs – physical education, health, and nutrition programs. We need to be stronger advocates for our children and our programs. Make good programs, get the whole school and parents involved, let others know what is happening in the classes and perhaps change can be made.
But, then again, what is wrong with a kid’s fitness club????? A good juice and healthy food bar, a wide offering of activities, some music playing and televisions at different stations… Wait a minute. That could be our schools….
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Steve Jefferies (Admin)
Board Administrator
Username: Admin
Post Number: 55
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 - 4:54 pm: | |
Letter sent to me in response to the Editorial
________________
Steve,
My boss forwarded me the Physical Education News - October Edition.
As I'm not a member, I was not able to reply to the editorial. I too thought it was well written and extremely informative.
I have a physical education degree but chose not to teach. For 25 years I have disagreed with the required teachings of PE for our kids. Not being inclined to enjoy team sports, teaching was not going to be a positive experience for me.
In Danville, Virginia, I still see us teaching football, softball, baseball, etc. Most certainly, these sports will teach teamwork, assist with large and small motor skills, etc. But are they lifetime fitness activities? Nope... I think our PE departments need to radically change what they are teaching. Golf, tennis, dance, walking, karate, yoga, swimming, weight training for all ages... activities that can be easily incorporated into every day living. I still see the kids lining up for "exercise" in class. They are so boring, I cringe to watch. School is the very best way to make a life change for these kids. And you are right - a couple of times a week just isn't enough. At this rate, we won't need to worry about social security for the next generation past boomers - they will all die of heart disease way before retirement.
My hand is out to you guys. You have a tough road ahead of you.
Danville, Virginia
(Message edited by admin on October 25, 2006) |
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