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Schools making gym more interesting
February 9, 2005
BY GEORGE BASLER
Press & Sun-Bulletin
BINGHAMTON -- On the athletic field in back of Binghamton's East Middle School, Rashaunah Anderson and fellow students in her gym class ran relay races.
But she wasn't wearing track shoes or sneakers. "I've got these big, old clunkers on," the 13-year-old eighth-grader said.
The "clunkers" are snowshoes that the students wore on the snow-covered field for class.
The Binghamton City School District began snowshoeing two years ago to diversify activities in its physical education classes, and put more emphasis on activities that students can use to stay fit after they leave school.
And Binghamton isn't alone. Districts across the region are working to expand their physical education offerings, said Gae Riddleberger, comprehensive health specialist for the Broome-Tioga Board of Cooperative Educational Services.
Besides Binghamton, the Union-Endicott, Whitney Point, Johnson City and the Chenango Valley districts have started doing outdoor winter sports, she said.
"We're trying to get kids to understand different types of activities so they can always stay physically active," Riddleberger said.
One reason for the push is new state physical education standards that emphasize personal wellness and the importance of staying fit long after gym classes are distant memories.
Another reason is concern over growing obesity and diabetes rates, said Murphee Hayes-Falls, director of physical education and health for the Whitney Point Central School. Government figures show 31 percent of adults and 17 percent of youngsters were seriously overweight or obese in 2001 and 2002.
Binghamton now teaches kayaking in the district's swimming pools, cross-country skiing, and roller blading, in addition to traditional team sports, said David Garbarino, director of health, physical education and athletics.
The district began the new activities after receiving, along with Broome-Tioga BOCES, a $250,000 federal grant to buy equipment and train teachers.
Introducing more activities into gym classes will hopefully mean that all students can find something they enjoy and want to pursue, said Ellen Hammes, a physical education teacher at East Middle School.
"Not everybody can play basketball," she said. "Some people are intimidated by team sports."
Students at East Middle will spend two weeks to a month doing snowshoeing and cross-country skiing this winter. It all depends on how long the snow lasts.
The winter activities have received a mixed reception from students, Hammes acknowledged. Most like them, but "some people are afraid to try new things," she said.
Eighth-grader Sarah Heath, 13, said she'd rather be inside staying warm. But she also thinks doing the winter activities is kind of special.
"You feel bad for the people in Alaska," said Hannah Martin, 13, an eighth-grader, as she explained the intricacies of snowshoeing. Once you learn how to do it, it's fun, she said.
Heath was looking forward to cross-country skiing because she can go faster. "You fly," added Shelby Fetterman, 13. Teachers even make little hills of snow that students can ski over, she said.
Teachers and officials think the push toward emphasizing lifetime fitness will continue. "It's really gravitating toward that," Hayes-Falls said.
New York's state Education Department and the state Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance have been working for the past seven years to develop a model program to incorporate lifetime physical education activities into school physical education programs, said Jonathan Burman, an SED spokesman.
School districts will be able to use this model program at their discretion.
The education department plans to release a CD-ROM soon to help guide districts to incorporate lifetime activities into their physical education programs.
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