Phys Ed

I read an interesting and exhaustive study from the Tex schools. It finally seems to confirm what I've felt for years and years, that physical education is an important part of "education." The study shows a direct correlation between physical fitness and academic achievement, behavior in schools, etc. The more fit, the higher the learning and the fewer the problems. This was shown for individuals and for entire schools. Higher achieving schools with, say, 50% higher scores in achievement, also had 50% better fitness (based on a series of physical batteries/tests). So what is it that our lame-brained administrators do first in a crunch? Yep, cut phys ed--and music, art, etc. Somewhere, sometime, someone has to tell people these areas are not fringes, not "extras." I know HVS officially calls them "extras" and elementary phys ed is 30 mins, twice a week. That "band" can substitute for phys ed requirments is a travesty. Music and art, for instance, are not for everyone. I wouldn't have wanted to take them, esp not in hs. But phys ed is a bit different, sort of like math and history and medicine. We may not like it, but it's good for us. And the trend in phys ed toward "lifelong" activities? Bah...the kids need exercise and the study shows it.