In our last poll, we wanted to know if you supported the City Council’s resolution to add Id al-Fitr and Id al-Adha to the public school holiday calendar. Thanks for your comments!
Should your child need to miss school for a holiday, make sure to request, in writing, that your child be excused before the date of observance. The school principal will have the final say (see Chancellor’s Regulations A-210 and A-630).
On Monday, the Department of Education and the Health Department reported that the data from students’ annual fitness assessment shows that physically fit students tend to perform better on academic tests than their out-of-shape peers. How much better? On average, the report says, kids who did the best on the fitness test outscored those who did the worst by 36 percentile points on standardized academic exams. Additionally, the report found that 21 percent of New York City students in Kindergarten-8th grade are obese; 18 percent more are overweight.This week, we’d like to know what you think of your school’s physical education program. Vote now, and add your comments below!
UPDATE: See the full report here.
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I’m a teacher at a NYC public high school. I really do not think the standard PE program is effective for our kids. The emphasis is on changing (being prepared) and learning the rules of different sports, not necessarily on doing things that are active. The problem, I think, stems from the fact that PE classes are HUGE and also short - 40 minutes. PE teachers have to worry about attendance for a large population (about 50 students) and make use of a very short time period (accounting for the time for changing at both ends of the period - 30 minutes). These teachers must make sure class is incredibly organized - hence the emphasis on rules and preparation - so nothing bad happens (injuries, kids kanoodling in locker rooms, etc.) There is also very little variety. I’m thankful my school gives PE credit for the rigorous dance classes that some students participate in and for a very challenging yoga class (that teachers may also take!) These make physical fitness an integrated part of students’ lives - doing things that are active but that students are also invested in. I do think we have a LONG way to go to make PE effective and provide long-term benefits for our kids’ health.
Comment by Elizabeth — July 19, 2009 @ 1:17 pm
I’m glad that the DOE is tracking physical fitness and academic performance, but as with these kinds of tests the reason for the connection cannot be pinned down with any kind of accuracy. It’s not cause and effect.
WHY do the fit kids do better on the tests and the unfit kids do worse? That is the question.
So, why break it down according to racial group? In my mind the telling breakdown would be socioeconomic–are the fit/academically successful kids coming from more affluent and higher educated families, regardless of race? My guess is, yeah.
Let’s do all we can for kids while they are at school, but our society needs to address some of the imbalances outside of school as well, like affordable summer camps and sports programs and afterschool activities that allow for adequate physical exercise and making neighborhoods safer so kids can play outside.
Comment by marge — July 19, 2009 @ 6:10 pm
I like both comments above but my favorite part is “Let’s do all we can for kids while they are at school, but our society needs to address some of the imbalances outside of school as well, like affordable summer camps and sports programs and afterschool activities that allow for adequate physical exercise and making neighborhoods safer so kids can play outside.” - Totally Agree!!!
Comment by mine — July 20, 2009 @ 8:59 pm
Schools close for the major Christian and Jewish holidays and should do the same for the Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Tao, Confucius, Zen, Hare Krishna, Sikh and Scientological ones…
Did I miss something above? Fridays should be holidays too because we do not want to discriminate our Muslim brothers and sisters.
Comment by me — July 20, 2009 @ 10:50 pm
In some schools in Brooklyn and Queens many kids are out for the Islamic holidays. As a city we should respect the traditions of the people in our community. We did not always give the Jewish holidays off. This is a natural reaction to changes in demographics.
Comment by Parent — July 21, 2009 @ 9:01 am
i think it’s only fair that schools are closed for Muslim holidays. You can’t observe some religions and not all. Yes. I think public schools should be closed in observance of Mualim holidays.
Comment by Anonymous — July 29, 2009 @ 1:25 pm