By SEAN CHAE and VINCENT QIU
Many classes have had to change in order to adapt to the pandemic, whether it was debate tournaments shifting to an online setting, or having to switch to mostly online resources and getting rid of paper worksheets. Many classes have been unable to do specific activities that a student would be able to do in a normal class. One subject that has been greatly affected by this is physical education. Students are now unable to play sports such as basketball, flag football, or any other sports that may require close contact.
As many students and teachers know, physical education has been greatly modified during the pandemic. Only recently have extracurricular athletics been permitted. Physical Education Curriculum Associate Mr. Mankowich said, “At first we kept everything to fitness based activity with as little movement from our floor spots as possible. Our goal was initially to get students exercising again and build up their fitness levels. We have since then added badminton and pickleball to our general Phys. Ed. classes. This has taken us away from our normal curriculum, but we will look to add additional activities as the year progresses.”
Static stretches are led by the teachers, and students who are online must follow along. These stretches help the muscles relax, but now these can even be hard to do with some students being confined at their desks. Freshman Rachel Y. said, “In person you actually do the workouts while when you’re at home, you can face your camera up, or pretend to do it. Even if you actually do them, you might have little to no space to do it, and connection issues might interfere.”
Physical education teachers also see monitoring students as another challenge in online learning. Ms. Dunn said, “I think it’s hard to teach students PE fully remote. Not everyone feels comfortable showing their camera, but in order for us to know that you are physically participating and present behind the screen we need to make sure you are visible.”
The camera situation is difficult for many of the PE teachers to manage because of the abundance of students in a single class, and also having to watch the students who are in person.
After stretches and in-place exercises, the students who are currently in-person will start playing non-strenuous sports such as badminton or pickleball. Teachers will dismiss the remote students after instructing them to do some physical activity such as walking outside. Many remote students enjoy their online physical education experience since it allows them to refresh their minds and bodies before heading to their next class. Freshman Eric L. says, “When teachers dismiss us and tell us to do some sort of physical activity for the rest of the period, I usually go for a walk outside with my dog, or run on my treadmill.”
Freshman Josephine S. said, “I enjoy online gym because it gives me a chance to be active during the pandemic.”
For the in-person students playing sports is a nice way to get their blood pumping and cleanse their minds. Rachel Y. added, “While I’m in person for gym, I enjoy being able to physically participate and play the activities.”
Fortunately for students, whether online or in-person, physical education is an important break from screens and a great chance to be active.