By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
Students at Princeton High School starting this school year will be allowed to opt out of gym class but still earn credit if they are involved in school sports or some “vigorous physical activity” that provides them enough exercise each week.
The move is aimed at reducing the stress of overworked students by giving them a free period during the day to study or catch up on homework.
“It’s long overdue, it’s a great measure to promote balance for our kids,” school board president Andrea Spalla said Tuesday.
Students will have to apply by Sept.12 to the school administration and demonstrate what activity — like playing on the football team — would enable them to miss gym. The district created three pathways for them to take.
The first option, available only to juniors and seniors, is to play two or more junior varsity or varsity sports. The second option, also for upperclassmen only, is to play one sport and have documented participation in off-season training of 150 minutes a week in the same sport “with an organization approved by the principal,” according to information on the high school website.
Students of all grade levels are eligible for the third option: participating in an athletic or physical activity for a minimum of 150 minutes per week with an approved “organization, coach and or teacher,” the website read.
Superintendent of Schools Stephen C. Cochrane said Tuesday that officials expect that most of the applicants would be upperclassmen.
Students who opt out of taking gym would get a pass/fail grade for gym class, with team coaches responsible for taking attendance to make sure players are showing up to practices, he said.
Each day, students will need to check in with their gym teacher at their specified gym period and then be allowed to go to the library or some other location in the school to spend their free period.
“It’s our first time through, so we’re piloting it,” Mr. Cochrane said. “When other districts have done it, their numbers have not been all that high in the first year.”
He and board members heard repeatedly through the past school year about the workload students at the high school carry. Mr. Cochrane has emphasized student wellness as critical to the mission of the district.
