Pearl Sarmiento, Hancock High School Senior
Students all across theUnited States are at risk of becoming obese. This topic has caused much concern for the next generation and has influenced many schools to attempt to prevent it. However, some of these attempts may not be effective in this process. One of the most controversial solutions is extending the school day. This can lead to a healthier society.
Throughout my academic career, gym has always been the time of day to look forward to. But every year, and every gym teacher, has been unique. There were gym teachers who were whistle-happy and filled with excessive motivation, and then there were the “babysitters.” Those instructors just allowed us to do as we please as long as no one got hurt.
Encouraging youth to become physically active on a daily basis can be a conflict in today’s society. According to the article, "Parents Want Physical Activity," 94% of parents say that physical activity is important. They value physical activity in the schools and support recess in schools.
Recess gives students the opportunity to be active and engage in more physical activity. However, there is no order and little restrictions in recess. Recess allows students to do only as they please as long as it is active. Therefore, an effective and efficient workout is not a product of recess, which literally means that recess equals “free time.” Students should use the time wisely. As a replacement for recess, schools should embrace Physical Education. Physical Education meets the values of both students’ health and their academic focus.
School programs are already allowing recess for students. Although these programs are helpful when it comes to preventing obesity in the youth, recess can have a harmful effect by depriving valuable time from students’ academics. Students use recess to socialize and engage in the activities that they please. This becomes a diversion from the main objectives of each day.
Although recess gives students daily physical activity requirements, it gives no contribution to the students' academic progress throughout each day. Recess gets students to burn off energy and calm down but there is no order in recess which is why teachers start to carry a whistle.
In spite of the attempts to create order in recess, it still promotes an abundance of students’ own leisure for a majority of the time period. Furthermore, CPS is considering the extended school days as an opportunity for high school students to take four years of physical education. This would be seen as an additional graduation requirement, which is a very effective proposal. The extension of the school day can be essential and enhancing towards physical health for youth.
The simple four-year Physical Education graduation requirement will suffice for the daily exercise for the youth. Extending the school day will further enhance the required exercise while still allowing regular academic class time.
I think that most teens will benefit from the extended day because of the fact that we struggle with finding our own time to exercise during the day. By extending the school day and requiring four years of physical education, teens will get into the habit of exercising and stay healthy as they enter adulthood.
Physical Education promotes learning in addition to healthy exercise, allowing students to gain the best of both worlds. According to a 2011 article, “Health and Physical Education Pedagogy in the 21st Century - a Statement of Consensus” in JOPERD (The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance), “Physical education creates a positive learner-centered environment reflecting the best practice to encourage students to become active participants in the learning process.”
Will an extended school day promote healthy habits, both academically and physically, for youth?
Filed under: Uncategorized
Pearl,
I LOVED your article. This is why CPS needs to turn to the students for advice. You hit the nail right on the head. Although I agree that students need more physical activity on a regular basis, simply implementing a recess will simply not cut it. As your article states, daily physical education is the best solution. Without structured activities, recess can actually turn into a recipe for bullying and other dangerous outcomes...