The Pennsbury school board has recently decided to change physical education classes to every OTHER day adding an extra period to math on the days in which there will NOT be physical education. To many students, we have a different view point on this decision. We believe that we should have physical education everyday for many reasons. Here are some of them:

There are many benefits to physical education. Physical education improves students’ overall well being. We are taught leadership skills when playing team sports, we learn how to have self discipline and think of benefits and consequences, we have a place to be physically active allowing us to focus on class each and everyday, and SO much more.

With rising obesity in America, physical education is more important than ever. Some kids only exercise DURING physical education. With it only being 2-3 days a week, kids are not getting enough if any physical activity in. It is recommended that kids get at least 60 minutes of physical activity.

Physical education helps us focus, resulting in more success during our academic classes. Physical activity is proven to help kids retain information, widen their attention spans, and so much more. Without that physical activity on extra math days, we may have a harder time focusing on our schoolwork and classes resulting in a lower success rate.

We had found out that the reason the school board has chosen to remove gym is because the district has found a need for an increase in math instruction for a majority of middle school students. Instead of removing gym, we have come up with some other ways to give that increased math instruction: 

As students, we came up with some other ideas. (We are completely open to changes about our ideas): First off, there could be extra math opportunities during open period. While this may not work for everyone, it could certainly provide extra instruction to those who need it. This would allow students to keep physical education in their curriculum more regularly AND provide them with what they truly need help on . Secondly, there could be double math during certain gym periods: but for those who need it, and only for the amount of time they need it. For example, a student needs extra math opportunities for the first marking period, but by the second marking period they seem to understand most of the material and have caught up to where they are supposed to be. These would not only allow those students who need extra math opportunities to get them, but also allow them to stop taking advantage of these opportunities when they truly don't need them anymore. With smaller groups, students are more likely to ask questions and truly understand the lesson being taught.

In conclusion, daily physical education is extremely important to us as students and beneficial in many ways. This problem should definitely be solved, but it doesn't have to by taking away such a crucial part of our day. Please help us save daily physical education!

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