I do not believe so... Kids now days need exercise. We have a lot of kids overweight and I think the school is helping to show how to keep in shape and exercise. I think its great. I agree with priestj1981 its like another class (Art, band etc.)

They accomplish both the same way they take a break and go to art class, science lab, computer lab, etc... each are on a diffrent days but same amount of time. They fit it in.

PE isn't even that long and it's good for the kids to get some fresh air and exercise or a break from acedemics for a short period. Recess is shorter then PE so it's kind of like another recess time for the kids and I'm sure they don't mind. It also gives the teacher a break unless the teacher is teaching it but I'm sure he/or she wouldn't mind taking a break from acedemics either, it let's them unwind (loosen up)a little bit and have some fun. So their not bored. Everyone knows what happens when kids get bored LOL.... PE is still great exercise for them anyhow. I see it as a good thing. Positive for the students and teachers. They have music class, art class, scince lab, etc... what can it hurt... :0)

Some classroom teachers are, in fact, both the PE teacher and the regular all around general teacher... it really depends on the school (size perhaps having a lot to do with it). Whether or not there is a law in any state mandating that a PE teacher has to be a certified health and physical educator I have no idea, but I do know first-hand that there are some classroom teachers teaching/leading PE for various reasons. (Whether or not it's a good or bad thing, I really can't say without bias)...

First of all, the classroom teachers are not teaching The PE classes, they have PE teachers that each class goes to throughout the day. And if you think physical education is a bad thing you must be out of your mind. Ecspecially at the younger levels, PE is definatley needed. As it should be required all the way up through highschool. Plus, children need a break during the day, without they would most likely lose all interest in their school work by the end of the day. =)

Child_of_Ray,

Good point of no note in the world, even one from a doctor, is true of days gone by. I have been lucky that even without a doctor's note, the phy ed teachers take serirously my daughters condition. Believe me, with this district, it is very hard for everything(students and parents) but at least, they aren't willing to have a lawsuit on their hands for a students dieing due to their negligence.

I think PE is a good thing....for younger and older students. Everyone needs time to burn off energy and at least, trying to keep in shape. To get the heart pumping and mind clear is all the better for learning.

PE was mandated here before until somewhat recently (since I've been grown)... It generally was anywhere from 2-5 days a week depending on the school. They took PE out of schools here when they cut funding at the same time they took away music and art in most schools (except the affluent neighborhood schools and private schools) and decreased funding for Science which was still a required subject.

So the idea that they will or may be bringing PE back as a required class, is great so long as they allow athletic alternatives for children who have medical conditions which may prevent them from certain activities. (When I was a kid, there was no doctors note in the world which could get a kid out of PE. A kid could have extreme heat sensitivity or asthma and they'd still make the kids run for an hour straight and flunk them if they walked or stopped to try & catch their breath.)

You are very welcome flournoy4

mrsreynolds..Thank you

bencas.. I was not taking a combative approach. I was simply stating what could be done if she didn't get any results from trying to resolve the issue with that teacher and if the teacher continued. Sorry for stating my view and for being so up front, but I too am not a mother to sit by and wait for results or someone else's descision especially when it comes to my children. Some people are just too sensitive...

Actually, I've never known an academic teacher to teach a phys. ed. class. It is more likely that daily phys. ed. would be a breather for the academic teachers, a chance to prepare for the next lesson, do some grading, and so on.

Also, I don't see anything wrong with the class in general. Kids who are healthy and active learn better; kids who have had a chance to release their restless energy concentrate better. I understand the argument that we are trying to make schools deal with a problem (obesity) that should be addressed at home, but I can't help but think that we teach what we teach to improve our country as much as possible. Teaching our citizens to exercise and eat healthy is very important for our national health and productivity, and while it is most important that all parents do that, I see nothing wrong with schools stepping into the breach. For this reason I think schools should teach phys. ed. and nutrition, as well as providing only reasonably healthy options for school lunches (no soda or candy, limit juice/pizza/cookies/etc.)

And I say all this as a kid who HATED phys. ed. - I would definitely have preferred another art or English class! However, I think it is in our children's best interests if these classes are provided.

I believe that kids need to have P.E. as well as academic education. Back in the day, middle school had P.E. and health class and you learned all about proper nutruition for your body. P.E. was twice a week and on the remaining 3 days you learned about health. So many kids are overweight and are not educated on what is good for them and what is not.

Ms. Reynolds

immrsp.. I'm sorry if I affended you in any way. You sound like a teacher yourself. What I meant to imply, and sometimes typing words comes out different than in person, is that the schools should not cut P.E. because I too believe that it's the school dist. dev. ed teacher is responsible for the P.E and to educate the children with proper nutrition. I know there's enough in the school's budget to do this. I also agree that the teachers are and should not be responsible for a child's P.E. This is what recess is all about and that the physical part of a child's life starts from home. Parents need to get them off the couches and monitor their snacking and eating habits. What I meant about the educational issue is that it seems that not only the time children spent in school seem to be getting shorter, but more and more days off during the year due to bogus holidays and test preperation days, etc. What ever happened again, starting school on Mondays and ending at the end of the year on a Friday and going to class 7:30a/8a thru to 3/3:30pm. Kids these days might actually be smarter and stay out of michief after school. This will also help all us single or working parents with keeping down daycare costs.

Our state requires children to partcipate in physical education for 30 minutes every day. Because of funding, our teachers are only given P.E. with a P.E instructor twice a week, making the additional 3 days the teacher's responsibility. I agree physicaly fit children are more likely to do well and am glad children will be recieving 30 minutes per day. There are just more state requirements than enough funding to support these requirements.

I don't think the issue is that teachers should solve all of our problems. The issue is whether or not physical education is interfering with academics. The research has shown that children who are physically fit are more likely to do well in school. That being said, the academic teachers are not responsible for PE, Phys Ed teachers handle that part of the curriculum, which is constructed by administration. If anything, this is a time that can be utilized by the teacher to be prepared for the class and to take a breath.

I do think we look to teachers to solve all our childrens problems. Obesity is a concern, but teachers are not in charge of school lunch or what children eat. I like that children are doing physical activity in schools every day, but it seems whenever there is some type of crisis, it is put on the school to solve it. Teachers should be responsible for academics, not how the student is raised. They should teach nitrition, but they cannot force children to eat the right foods. P.E. teachers should be reponsible for introducing students to different sports, teamwork and other basics of exercise, not the regular teacher. Teachers are already evaulated on how their students do at the end of the year, which is why they push academics.

Flournoy4:

I don't think a combative approach is the best solution. It seems that the parent resolved the problem when he raised the issue that the assignment was in excess of what occurred on the day the child was absent. That is a good thing, let's not knock it.

You are correct about the benefits of recess. In actuality, the time spent in school becomes more efficient as the children have released their energy, not to mention the change in the environment does seem to awaken their attention.

flournoy4:

I'm not sure where you got the idea that teachers are responsible for p.e. mandates, or staff development days. These things are mandated, sometimes by the district, but usually by your state's education laws, and they definitely don't provide any time off for teachers. Ask your child's teacher whether he/she would rather be in the classroom with the kids or attending a mandatory "staff development day" activity. I can guarantee you the answer will be in the classroom.

As parents, we are never happy when it comes to our childrens' education or schooling. When there is no PE we complain, recess/no recess bigger problems, PE everyday boy oh boy! I know we have a right to complain and make sure everything goes just the way we like it but really, sometimes we should just take a chill pill! I think twice a week PE is fine. PE eveyday is even better. It's boring to be in the class all the time (remember your time when you were in 2nd grade??:) Children look forward to having some free time to run around. Honestly, that probably helps them clear their mind to restart in the classroom! Just an opinion!

I believe kids should have P.E. every day. They need the exercise and to burn off the extra energy. I would have to agree with flournoy4 about the staff days. Our public schools finish early every Tuesday (1:19 p.m.) in order to have the teachers participate in staff improvement day. I'm all for staff improvement, but the teachers should continue to teach until 3 p.m., and then have their staff improvement time. Of course, they would have to be paid for this time, but it would be worth it.

I would ask the teacher "why then doesn't she make up her time with the kids when she/he is out sick or for something else. I would definately inform the school board and question her teaching ethics(forget going to the pricipal, you won't get anywhere). From what I know, she can not legally so this because it is not a classroom assignment. Second to back yourself up, contact your child's doctor and get an rx to excuse him/her from P.E. until further notice due to his lack of recovery. They'll should do this with no hesitation and present this to the school's principal. Good luck.

It's unfortunatly true that teachers are loosing time lately it seems like to have P.E. I don't see what the big deal is these days. What's wrong with still having P.E. twice a week and still have time for academics. When my generation (which grew up in the 80s) and others before had time for this. Perhaps it's this state or just teachers in general want more and more time off. How about going back to class times being 7:30a or 8am to 3pm Mon. thru Fri. and quit taking these rediculous holidays and staff days" off and get back to educating. I've actually have heard of some states not even having recess anymore. Don't they know that children need this time to release stimulation and to learn to socialize. Having this time allows the brain to refocus and continue on without getting tired (which when tired there's no learning) from all day learning. Some educated people huh? And these are the people that are supposed to be educating our children. I'm tired of hearing about teacher's stress. Don't they realize the stress they put on our kids by rushing them through activities and the days assignments because they're on a time limit? When teachers become teachers, they become teachers because they love to teach and feel that the children are this country's future. It seems that there are few that feel this way anymore and therefore should find another profession.

Don't get me wrong, I personally think PE everyday is a good thing, providing the kids are made to try out a variety of sports and activities that could spark an interest, even outside of school.
I just don't think it should be treated like something that needs to be made up if an absence occurs.
I think getting out and being active helps prepare the brain for learning. I know we always had PE everyday growing up and still had time for all the academics.

I agree. My kids are very active just with free play that I would much rather see other specials instead. My 7th grader will probably have to give up an art or music class for PE? I dont think they will give up on academics as much as other artistic areas which is a shame. I know there trying to cut child obesity but lets face it 1/2 hr of PE isnt going to help that. It needs to be addressed at home. If I let my little one eat like she likes to she would be over weight. I teach her to choose healthy choices like try fruit after dinner instead of potatoe chips ect.... She actually told me Mom thank you for caring and teaching me to eat healthy!!!! BTW I dont just say you'll gain weight I teach them about eating gives you healthy hair and clear skin. I promote more water instead of soda. Just my opinion.

immrsp, I must admit, your point about it being the ONLY subject mandated is a bit odd. I hadn't thought about it.

My annoyance with PE started 7 years ago when my then 7th grade son was out sick for almost a week. Upon his return, he was told he had to MAKE UP PE class by writing several reports. HUH? Make up PE? Write reports?!?!

I went in and complained to the VP of this absurd requirement. She was all offended and told me that PE today just wasn't LIKE when we were kids. I firmly told her that THAT was the problem. I explained that my son was having to make up a lot of classwork and homework from his academic classes and that writing a REPORT for PE was a complete waste of time. AND he's having to do this as he was still not 100% recovered.

I asked her what they missed that day. Apparently they watched a movie one class (PE?) and ran a mile another. I told her I would have my son run a mile once my son was fully recovered to make up the time (My son at the time would have run ANY distance rather than write a report). She relunctantly agreed. What a crock!

I think this allows teachers more 'quality' time with the students. Children need the release of physical activity, otherwise thye find theirselves with energy that may be expended inappropriately. Also, with the weight problems of children in our country, this will help minimize the problem and allow healthy students to attend school. Children without weight problems tend to have better attention and attendance. Phys Ed is a good thing for everyone!

Different states have different requirements, but it seems as if mandating a certain number of p.e. minutes is many legislators' answer to the growing problem of childhood obesity. Never mind that children are getting fatter due to a variety of factors, many of which schools and teachers have no control over--just make the schools deal with the problem!

Okay, off my soapbox. I'm actually in favor of p.e. in schools, but the mandates bug me, since of course there are only so many hours in the school day. In California, where I live, p.e. is the ONLY subject for which there's a mandatory number of minutes per week written into the state's education law. Not reading, not math, social studies, science, art, music--ONLY p.e. has a mandatory number of minutes attached to it by law.