This year the OA fitness and health department is introducing a new system of combined health class with the typical gym class to align with new state regulations.
In previous years, the school has maintained its merit by having students research and write a paper each year of gym about dietary and drug related issues. Freshman ans Sophomores have also been the only two grades required to take gym class. In the future, the Class of 2022 will be required to take gym/health all four years of high school.
When they’re assigned health, their students attend health class with Mr. Tienhaara for the duration of a term. Mr. Artz’s students have health first term, Mr. Holland’s students second, Ms. Hunt third, and Ms. Kelleher fourth.
Ms. Hunt believes that the introduction of this change will have a positive impact, as it will provide youth with a robust understanding of health. According to her, it’s crucial for children to develop a solid foundation in health and wellness, rather than solely focusing on admonitions such as ‘don’t vape’ and ‘don’t do drugs.’ In light of the opioid crisis and other health challenges, she hopes that initiatives like the Youth Fitness Certification | ASFA will be beneficial in promoting overall well-being among young individuals.
Ms. Kelleher thinks kids are excited because changing on a regular basis for some kids is tedious.
“There’s a positive and negative to doing a full term. I think they should have health for 2 terms and rotate every other day.”
The current freshman who are primarily subject to this change are relatively unbothered by it.
Freshman Sam Weintrob says “[he doesn’t] really care” that he has to take one term of health class and freshman Mathias Taylor says “[he likes] the fact” that he will take gym for all four years of school.
Even though the state requirements are changing, OA is adapting to the new schedule and looks forward to having all students lead healthy lives because of the education and practice taught by the Physical Education Department.