Note: This piece is a staff editorial, which is an opinion article meant to reflect the opinions of the Drops of Ink staff. Because of this, the author’s name does not appear alongside the story, as the opinions shared in here are based on class discussions about the topic among the 10 DOI staff members. The staff is composed of students of all grades from a variety of backgrounds and experiences; therefore, the editorial speaks to the publication’s view on a subject and is not representative of each staff member’s exact view on the issue at hand.
Over the past few years, LHS’ Physical Education (PE) Department policies have caused frustration amongst the student population. With grade and absence policies that vary class by class, exemption guidelines and crowded schedules, students are starting to wonder if it’s time for a clearer PE department policy. While staying active is important to a healthy life and physical education classes are an easy way to meet that standard, the DOI staff feels like there could be an improvement to the current department policy.
ABSENCES
The LHS student handbook doesn’t state a specific policy regarding absences, which could be a large contributing factor as to why there are so many differences between how PE teachers handle the subject. While some classes will exempt students for missing a class with an excused absence, others will automatically enter a zero into the grade book.
“In Outdoor Ed, specifically, they have a weird excused [absence] policy there,” a DOI staff member said. “You can only make up two of your excused absences. If you have any more, they just remain zeros. If you were excused, there’s a point where you should at least be able to make it up for some points instead of it being a zero.”
Although field trips usually constitute an exemption for the time period a student is absent, there are occasional trips that aren’t covered, leaving students with dropping grades piled on top of school work that needs to be completed.
“I was absent for a week because I was representing our school, and it didn’t count as a field trip, so I had to be called out for that entire week,” another staff member said. “And now, because I was representing my school, I now have a bunch of Fs in the gradebook that I need to make up.”
SCHEDULING
Physical education also poses an issue of filling a students’ schedule, causing them to not be able to explore different classes and in addition to the classes required as graduation requirements. According to the Illinois General Assembly, “a school board may determine the schedule or frequency of physical education courses, provided that a pupil engages in a course of physical education for a minimum of 3 days per 5-day week.” Classes like LIFE and Sports Medicine are structured to have a split schedule, having students spend 2-3 days in a physical setting and the other days in a classroom setting.
“Having to take gym every single semester was somewhat of a barrier to taking classes that I would have enjoyed taking earlier,” a staff member said. “I could have been involved in things like Drops of Ink earlier if I didn’t have to take [gym]. I would have gotten involved as soon as my freshman year, which I was interested in, but I just didn’t have time in my schedule.”
Electives offer students more benefits when working towards a college major: it’s more helpful for someone hoping to be an engineer to take an additional math class rather than taking a yoga class.
EXEMPTIONS
Exemptions are given to in-season student athletes involved in LHS, Illinois High School Association (IHSA), sports teams; however, that offer doesn’t extend to students who play sports outside of school due to the fact that the LHS PE department can’t confirm they’re actively participating in practices and competitions. However club teams often spend more time at practices than school teams do. Nearby schools like Warren Township High School offer additional exemptions for participation in the marching band (1 semester) or to make up required course credits.
“My sister [who ice skates] was at the rink yesterday from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. at practice, and she’ll get an F in PE for the week because she’s at a competition,” a staff member said.
Even club sports that utilize LHS sports facilities aren’t granted an exemption from their PE classes.
“During my club season, we’re doing more work than we are during the high school season for practices, and I can’t exempt from PE,” another staff member said. “I’ve asked multiple people, and they said, you can’t do it because it has to be affiliated with LHS,” another staff member said.
SO, WHAT’S NEXT?
Overall, concerns surrounding absences, scheduling and exemptions show inconsistencies with the department policy. Four years of PE is required for graduation, but students say the unclear and varying policies create confusion and add frustration. Many Drops of Ink staff members believe a more cohesive and definitive department-wide policy would help them be more confident that their grades accurately reflect their abilities even after unavoidable absences, like a simple illness.
