Alternative PE class a hit at Stilwell

Students choose yoga over team sports.

Yoga, spinning, discussion on body image and tips on reading food labels have replaced the traditional physical education class staples of team sports in a pilot project at Stilwell Junior High School.

The class is being offered to 75 seventh- and eighth-graders this semester as an alternative to regular PE classes at Stilwell, 1601 Vine St. in West Des Moines.

School counselor Chris Oponski and physical education teacher Cheryl McConnell developed the coursework. Students with a body mass index (BMI) of 26 or higher were encouraged to sign up for the class that meets every other day for an hour.

The class was also offered to students who disliked the competitive nature of a traditional gym class.

"We tried to do this 10 years ago before there was such an epidemic of children struggling with weight," McConnell said.

"In all our PE classes we do fitness testing three times a year. The kids know what their BMI is and this class gives us an opportunity to address those issues in a different way."

The course examines the ways students can eat healthier and exercise.

"Some parents were concerned about the class being labeled the fat class," Oponski said.

"But we can bury our heads in the sand or we can tackle the issues the students face. We're not promising weight loss, we're educating them on a healthier way of life."

For students to participate in the class, their parents had to agree and were asked to support the student.

David Hughes ' eighth-grade son, Brandon, is one of the students who enrolled in the class.

"The class has given Brandon a different outlook on the way he exercises and the foods he eats," said Hughes, a West Des Moines resident. "We're trying to do what we can to restructure how he eats and snacks, and we try to encourage him to exercise. If I get home early enough, I try to do some kind of exercise with him."

Oponski and McConnell both dress for the class and do the exercises or activities alongside the students.

"We worked with Pilates' balls and worked on core body strength and balance. Cheryl and I are out there with them; they see us struggle," Oponski said.

As a counselor, Oponski has been able to work with students on the social and emotional issues they experience.

Hannah Garcia , a seventh-grader from West Des Moines, said the class has helped to improve her body image.

"I like that I'm surrounded by people with my same body weight," Hannah said. "I know they won't tease me, and now because of this class, I don't care anymore about what people think about my body shape."

Hilda Garcia , Hannah's mother, is thankful for the dedication to students demonstrated by Oponski and McConnell.

"When Hannah was taking regular PE she always complained," Garcia said. "Now, she hasn't complained once. She's trying new things, like when they have assignments to not drink any soda over the weekend."

Steph Swim , an eighth-grader from West Des Moines, did not like regular physical education classes because of the focus on team sports.

"Since this class started, I'm exercising more because I'm learning new activities I can do," Steph said. "Sometimes I exercise with my mom at night now."

Some students have altered their eating habits. Seventh-grader Elizabeth McCauley of West Des Moines has given up an after-school snack and does not miss it.

"All my family is overweight," Elizabeth said. "We are trying to eat better and exercise more."

The school district has already approved the program to continue at Stilwell next year and to be added to the curriculum at Indian Hills Junior High School.

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