New P.E. class possible for next year

As students make their schedule choices, incoming juniors and seniors have a new option for physical education next year called “Fitness and Food,” but much doubt remains over whether the class will actually be offered.

Athletic director Peter Jordan hopes to teach this class next year; however, whether the class will be taught at all is still in question as Jordan will have to raise the funds himself through grants because of the district’s budget deficit. The cost of a single class at the school is roughly $25,000. He will also need to have a minimum of 25 students sign up.

Assuming that Jordan raises the funds, the class will be offered during first period.

“The goal is to offer an opportunity for kids to get fit and learn a little more about food and nutrition,” said Jordan.

The class targets upperclassman who might have an unscheduled first period.

“I wanted to create the class for kids who would otherwise be home sleeping or watching TV,” said Jordan.

The curriculum will involve intense physical activity and the opportunity to learn more about nutrition and eat a well-balanced breakfast on block days. According to Jordan, the course outline emphasizes “the basics of food preparation, food safety, nutritional influences on athletic and academic performance and psychological and sociological influences on food choices and body image.”

The class will count for PE credits so seniors who have not yet fulfilled all of their PE requirements will be able to do so without taking a class with mostly freshmen.

“I would definitely be interested in the class, it would be a lot nicer than having to take a class with a bunch of freshmen,” said junior David Anderson

The class is especially targeted toward seniors going off to college—seniors who may not know how to put together a proper breakfast.

“I know that it can be awkward for seniors to take a mostly freshman PE class,” said Jordan. “I wanted to give them the opportunity to take a class with their own age group.”