Grade School PE - Opinions Please! UPDATE POST 1

[kami2199]

First off, let me tell you that I am going to be giving my opinion in this post. Keep in mind that it is MY opinion and I realize some will agree and some won't. I really do want to hear your opinions but please let's not turn this into some sort of heated debate.

Today I got to the school to pick my daughter up. I was a little early so I was sitting in my car and her grade happened to be out for PE. Behind where they are playing I see kids running around the high school track. My daughter had to do this last year and is again this year. NOW, let me say this, I am all for PE and I'm glad we have it everyday here in IL. But...running around a cinder track in gradeschool as early as Kindergarten? I was thinking back to last year when her best friend fell hard on the track one day. Her mother had to come get her and make THREE trips to the doctor for wound care. She spent $75 in copayments on this.

I'm thinking how upset I would be if that were my child and how would I react. Well...I go inside and my daughter is in the office crying. SHE fell on the track today and scraped up her legs a bit...not bad, but enough that it really stung. My first reaction was to ask her what the heck she was thinking wearing her d*#% flip flops out to PE when she had sneakers in her locker!!! I usually try to send her in sneakers but today she wanted to wear a fancy skirt and flip flops that matched so I made sure to tell her to change for PE.

But...in my opinion, what the heck are gradeschool kids doing running on a cinder track. Please trust me when I tell you that there is PLENTY of grass for them to run on and the football field and practice field are both right there. It just seems to me that it is an accident waiting to happen. I ran track in high school and I have one scar that I am still pulling cinders out of.

Also, not all of the PE teachers make their kids run on the track. Some do use the grass. I will be the first to admit that my child's middle name is definately not GRACE. She is not the most cordinated little thing if you know what I mean. Also, my daughter informed me tonight that there is absolutely no walking allowed...running or jogging only the entire way around. I have mixed opinions on that one. I think mine is in shape enough to be able to do it but I know there are some who can't.

So, what are your opinions on this. I just can't stand the thought of some of these little kids tripping over each other, their shoelaces or heck, even their own two feet! And cinder scars certainly are not pretty and have no place on 5-10 year old legs! Gosh knows they get them from two many other things! Please give me your honest feelings but don't flame or bash...I'm looking at it pretty one sided here I know.

Update: So, tonight I'm discussing the situation with a friend over dinner and she tells me that the track we have cannot be used for meets because of safety issues! They apparently were trying to raise enough money for an all weather track and came up short so the they ended up doing something else with the money. I'm hoping to see the PE teacher tonight at open house so I can talk with her a little. I wanted to meet her anyway since she is new so I decided against the letter this morning. [/COLOR]

 

[EthansMom]

Nope, grade schoolers shouldn't be running around a track. They should be playing dodgeball... just kidding.

I don't see how running in circles around a track inspires young kids to continue having a lifelong relationship with physical fitness. It seems like the PE teacher may lack imagination if he/she can't come up with something that is healthy, but more fun for the kids to do than run in circles.

Also, at our grade school, the kids are not permitted to participate in PE without appropriate shoe wear. I would rather have my child get a demerit of some sort and not be permitted to participate than become injured wearing inappropriate shoes/clothing. As a mother, I would use this as an example for my child of why he/she is not allowed to wear inappropriate clothes on gym day.

 

[AprilShowers]

What grade is your daughter in?

 

[Skatermom23]

Well since you asked... I never let my kids wear anything other than tennis shoes to school in elementary school and yes I do have a daughter. I think it is okay to have the kids run the track at whatever age, but parents need to make sure the kids are dressed for it. If they have PE daily, then dress the kids accordingly.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

At my dd's elem. school they have to walk for 10 mins everyday, around the school, to fulfill some exercise requirement.

Also wth is the PE teacher doing allowing kids on a track in flip flops. That is stupid!

 

[EthansMom]

What grade is your daughter in?

Good question! If your daughter is young, I would question the teacher as to why she wasn't told to change her shoes. If she's older, I would tell DD that she needs to take responsibility for herself and change her shoes in the future.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I really don't have a problem with it. I'd give my kid heck for not having her PE shoes on however.

 

[castleview]

I mean no disrepsect but IMHO a track is a track and distance running is on the President's Fitness Test. Kids run through the woods, on pavement, in mud, and now on cinder. I don't see a problem with running on cinder. Yes, I've fallen there too, but I don't think little kids will hit with such an impact to cause longterm problems. (My guess is you were a sprinter or hurdler )

As far as "running in circles", I don't think it's such a bad thing. Kids can learn to pace themselves and it's a sure fitness activity they can do without anyone else. Of course, I'm biased because I'm a distance runner.

Anyway, I could see why you're upset, but your daughter learned a valuable lesson regarding the proper clothing for gym class...and listening to her mother!

As far as other kids tripping over each other or not being able to complete the lap...well, they just get better. You're in a state that has a great reputation for PE and having to do it every day is one more opportunity to go farther. Just my thoughts.

 

[AprilShowers]

I totally agree that a good PE teacher can think of other ways to get in exercise for kids. Kickball, volleyball, etc.

DD's previous PE teacher used to make up the neatest games, their new teacher makes them run laps. Guess which one they liked better?

I think my 10 year old 5th grader would be able to handle running on a cinder track without falling down, but not with flip flops on. But if she was in kindergarten, then it's ridiculous to even expect with tennis shoes on.
that's why I asked what grade she was in.

I guess it depends on how old your DD is. Either way, you have an unimaginative, possibly lazy PE teacher.

 

[kami2199]

Wow, thanks for all that responded.

My daughter is 7. I typically send her in tennis shoes but today she wanted to wear this fancy skirt and the flip flops to match. She has a pair of PE shoes for both in and outdoor use in her locker. The school sent a note home last year that it is find for them to wear flip flops/sandals so long as they have PE shoes to put on. Quite frankly, I think most kids wear flip flops everyday here to school. Anyhow, I asked her why she didn't change and she said they were not given time to however I don't know that she spoke up as she's pretty shy. I told her teacher that she does indeed have PE shoes in her locker that stay at school just so she is aware. Her teacher said, I usually try to remind them to put them on. Trust me on this, I was all over her (edited...I meant my daughter - sorry for anyone that took this as meaning the teacher)about it because I do think that it is her (daughter's) responsiblity to know that she has to change. She won't be wearing them again because of this incident.

We have PE everyday here, not just a couple of days a week. They run the track then do some sort of game/physical activity afterwards. I guess the running is sort of a warm up.

For those of you who said you would have no problem with the track...would you still feel that way if your child came home with raw, bloody knees and hands and black cinders that you couldn't get out? Like I said before, I have one scar on my knee that I am still getting cinders out of 15 years later. I don't have a problem with the running by any means...it's just I'd rather they do it on the grass that is right there instead of the track. By the way, a first grader fell and skinned his knees pretty badly today as well. Thanks for the replies.

ETA I don't think the PE teacher is lazy or unimaginative, they do play games afterwards. It's her first year here and one of my friends who is a teacher at the same school said that maybe she just doesn't realize the potential for disaster on a track. As far as running all the way around...I think my daughter does ok and I don't have a problem with it as long as the ones who are really trying and just can't do it are allowed to walk a little for a break.

 

[Free4Life11]

What are cinders??

Our track was made out of some rubbery type stuff. I keep thinking cinder-block, but I can't imagine a track made out of that!

 

[EthansMom]

At 7, I would have been adamant that the teacher MAKE SURE that my child is wearing appropriate shoes... especially when there is PE every day.

 

[AprilShowers]

I guess if grass were an option, and it were pretty level, then I would prefer they run on grass for that very reason. I'm so sorry your little girl was hurt. I hope she gets better soon!

Can you ask the PE teacher why they don't just run on the grass? I guess then someone would complain that it wasn't stable enough and someone could break an ankle or something.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

those of you who said you would have no problem with the track...would you still feel that way if your child came home with raw, bloody knees and hands and black cinders that you couldn't get out?

I have 3 boys. I got over blood years ago.

By this point, I can practically put the stitches in myself.

 

[castleview]

I have 3 boys. I got over blood years ago.

By this point, I can practically put the stitches in myself.

LOL. Not to get off topic, but I took my 18 month old son to the ER. He was fine, but I just kept thinking "Get used to it, you'll be here many many times with this one."

 

[crazy4disney01]

To me, a young grade-schooler shouldn't be running on a track. I would be upset if my DD came home with hurt knees. Even though she wore pretty flip-flops to school, it was her teacher's job to make sure she changed her shoes. It should be a question she asks her students' everyday. I think there is more to PE than running. At my DD's school, they do different exercises in the gym. I see older kids doing the same exercises she is doing when I pick her up in the afternoons, she is in Pre-K. I remember having to run a lap or two every now and then when we had the President's Fitness Test, but that is the only time I remember having to run track when I was in school.

You have every right to feel the way you feel, and I would be upset too. Really, your DD should be able to wear flip-flops if she wants but be responsible to change her shoes when needed. However, her teacher should have reminded her to change shoes, I don't see how she would not have noticed...hope this helps!

 

[Daxx]

In my Kdg. class, before gym starts, I do a "shoe check" to make sure everyone has sneakers. If a student isn't wearing sneakers or didn't bring them in their backpacks, then they cannot participate in gym. That's the rule and it goes across the boards in all grades. Of course, the upper level kids are penalized b/c this is part of being responsible for their gym attire.

Either the classroom teacher or gym teacher should've noticed that your DD didn't have the proper gym attire on. If she got all the way to gym class w/o sneakers, then she should have sat out. Would've saved her some pain, no?

 

[kami2199]

What are cinders??

Our track was made out of some rubbery type stuff. I keep thinking cinder-block, but I can't imagine a track made out of that!

They are these tiny little black rock like things...Anyone else that has a better explanation can jump right in! I'm struggling here!

 

[famofsix]

I guess it depends on how old your DD is. Either way, you have an unimaginative, possibly lazy PE teacher.

Let's not jump to conclusions about the PE teacher for having kids run on the cinder track. It may well be that this was part of a fitness unit. The PE teacher can't help what material the track is made of...at some point someone thought a cinder track was a good idea. The PE teacher is using the resource available.
If PE was limited to running the track every day the whole classtime, I would say the PE teacher will lose a job.
I do think the PE teacher allowing a student to run in flip flops is irresponsible.
In my kid's school, if the kid is not prepared with the proper attire then the kid has to sit out and the grade for PE is affected.
I do think running on the track has benefits though. Perhaps your PTO could raise money for a real mondo track (ya know, the all weather rubberish track material).
I am sorry your kiddo got hurt...Here's some pixie dust

 

[Becky2005]

Hmmm...interesting. I'm in IL and we don't have gym every day in grade school, so I'm being a bit baffled on that one.

Kindergarten has gym 1x week and 1-5 have it 2x week. You WILL be made to change into gym shoes if you don't have them on your feet though at gym class. My kids have to keep gym shoes at school (technically they are supposed to change even if they do have gym shoes on to keep dirt down but the K & 1 teachers don't have time to deal with changing shoes, so if you are wearing gym shoes to school you usually don't have to change -- unless they are muddy or something).

Anyway, my guess is they are building up for the 1-mile run that they have to do every year. I know in Middle School they run a lot but the teachers keep it a surprise for when they are doing the timed mile (so they don't have a lot of kids calling in sick that day! ). They do the timed mile starting in 1st grade here (my poor 6 year old, he's motor skill delayed.)

Considering I don't know what a cinder track looks like, I can't comment on that. Our grade school has no track at all. I know they run in the grass outside or do laps in the school gym.

Hmmm...can't say I have an opinion. If the track isn't safe, then I would talk to the Principal/PTO, etc...