Everything you need to know about fitness Wednesdays
PE students running laps in the fieldhouse and begin to stretch in preparation for a day of challenging fitness ahead.
February 25, 2020
The PE Department changed Wednesday gym classes into a required fitness day. This new program requires all students to participate in rigorous physical activity over a certain time period, ultimately trying to achieve a certain amount of points. The number of points students earn determine their grade.
Back in October, the Physical Education department started planning a new program for Wednesdays. They wanted to provide students an opportunity to break out of the routine for PE lessons. Students were given the option of activities, like soccer or basketball, to choose and complete every Wednesday of the semester. The activities differ each week.
The PE department began “Fit Day’s”; they gave each student a level of athletic ability based on their fitness scores. The groupings determine how many points you will need to earn to get 100% in the grade book. For example, if you are placed in group A, you will need to earn fewer points than someone placed in group F. Different activities are worth a certain amount of points, depending on their difficulty. For example, one student can select basketball, which is worth four points, while another student – who needs more points – can select five miles on the elliptical, which is worth eight points.
PE teacher, John St. Clair, said, “Instead of having a class three days in one week, it is a break because the units can get long. I also think it is a good way kids can get a decent workout, especially when they’re not in the best of shape.”
Students are concerned that the program is unfair because each student has a different workload. Sophomore basketball player, Jackie Wencl, said, “I think it is unfair to student athletes who have to work hard to get a high level of points that they already tried their hardest to get, but then in PLC have to work even harder and go to practices after school.”
St. Clair said, “I think it is fair. Some people are fighting it, or not trying. They forget they don’t have to do this, and just won’t get the points. It is the students’ choice.”
“Fit Sheet” for students to track their progress. Each student is placed in a letter category and must gain all their points before the end of the semester.
