Physical ed fizzles

By Adina Deramus
Video by Adina Deramus

Some experts question whether students in Chicago Public Schools are getting enough exercise. One study by the Children’s Memorial Hospital found that they aren’t. In fact, the study showed that less than one-third of Chicago teens get the regularly required exercise.

Several Chicago Public Schools have cut or are no longer offering physical education classes, so how does this affect a student physically and intellectually?

A study by the American Heart Association showed that students who are in physical education classes in high school perform better on exams, are prepared for class and are alert and more active in class discussions.

Students at the Calumet campus of the Perspectives Charter Schools Network, specifically at the Perspectives Calumet High School of Technology, are questioning why the physical education is not offered at their school, and how not having the option will affect their futures. The Calumet campus houses three schools: Perspectives Calumet High School, the High School of Technology (both grades 9-12) and Perspectives Calumet Middle School.

The school offers a variety of sports, including track, baseball, softball, basketball and football. But there is not an option of physical activity or exercise for the students who don’t participate in extracurricular activities.

Perspectives Charter Schools Network (which includes five schools serving grades 6-12) has a motto about living “A Disciplined Life,” and all students sign a contract that they will abide by the principles of the motto, which include eating healthy, not bringing in outside fast-food and exercising on a regular basis. The Perspectives Calumet High School of Technology serves healthy options for lunch, which include salad, grilled chicken and vegetables.

The one thing missing: physical education classes.

Christina Page, co-principal at Perspectives Calumet High School of Technology, said it's not just lack of exercise that is a problem that students of Chicago schools face; it is also their eating habits and that is an issue addressed at the school.

“While we don’t have gym classes, we do serve freshly cooked food and offer a daily salad bar,” she said. “We also do not allow students to bring in outside food or drink. Our academic program is very intensive, and it is just not an option to have gym class.”

Tchaas Muter, outgoing physical education teacher for sister school Perspectives Calumet High School, which will no longer have physical education classes next year, said students are not leading a healthy lifestyle if they are not exercising and just eating healthy. “That’s not how it works.”

“I disagree that this curriculum is based around leading a healthy lifestyle,” he said. “It is important for students at Cal-High and Cal-Tech to have physical education. I understand the need for high academic standards, but it is still on the school to help students find time in the day to exercise.”

A lack of physical education may not seem urgent compared with the struggles Chicago Public Schools are now facing, from the increased dropout rate to school violence. But obesity experts say structured daily exercise is crucial for the city’s schoolchildren, many of whom are at unusually high risk for weight problems.

Federal date shows Illinois suffers from the fourth-highest level of childhood obesity in the nation, and other research has found that youth in the Chicago area are heavier than those their age in the rest of the state.

Alexandria Tye, a Cal-Tech sophomore, said she used to enjoy going to gym class and was upset when it was not longer offered.

Another Cal-Tech sophomore, Tyler Prunty, said it’s not fair that students have to eat the healthy food as a part of living a healthy lifestyle if they don’t have a physical education class so they can exercise.

Muter said physical activity greatly benefits a student's performance in the classroom. He said whether it is sports or physical education class, it is a positive to get the students moving, and it helps keep them alert in class.

“They are more focused to do their work and pay attention after exercising,” he said.

Sophomore English and reading teacher Stacie Parlee at the High School of Technology said she notices that students in the afternoon classes are more tired and don’t have much energy.

“I don’t know if physical education would help in the classroom,” she said. “You would have to do a study on kids who have physical education and those who don’t. But it is obvious that in the morning the students seem to be alert and grow more anxious and tired as the day goes on.”

In an American Heart Association study, it found that physically active children are more likely to thrive academically and socially.

Tiana Herring, a sophomore on the girls' basketball team, said she thinks that exercise and being active definitely helps in the classroom.

"When you move around a lot, it makes you more alive,” she said.

Adina Deramus is a student at Perspectives Calumet High School.