Petitioning high school for PE exemption... anyone done it?

[Disneychix]

In our area student athletes HAVE to participate in PE classes and if they miss PE for that day they are ineligible to compete in a game or even practice for their sport. You might want to check into this.

 

[pjlla]

The schools around here used to exempt varsity athletes during their season, but they've all gone back to everyone taking the required gym class. It was starting to open a huge can of worms. Gymnasts, dancers and swimmers were asking for exemptions because they were working out with their club teams. Kids who hiked with their parents or did an exercise video at home would even ask for an exemption.

I personally don't see what the big deal is with your daughter taking gym class. She sounds like an overachiever with a tough class load and schedule. Maybe learning a new sport and "playing" is good fun relaxation. Plus I don't think confining yourself to one sport is healthy. Fitness continues long after sports and I've seen so many superb athletes have no clue what to do to stay in shape when they've finished competing.

And please don't say your worried about her getting hurt. I'm not saying your being one of "those" parents, but I see parents all the time who won't let their kids do anything physical unless they're supervised by their coaches. Most kids aren't going to the olympics or getting full athletic scholarships and don't need to be treated like eggs.

You are right... she is one of those "overachievers" and she does enjoy "playing" during gym.... but when you are taking the course load that she is, gym just seems like a waste of time.

I don't think that my DD is going to be getting an athletic scholarship or go to the olympics.... in fact, she isn't even the best swimmer of her age on her team! As far as girls her age, she is probably ranked third or fourth on her club team and second on her HS team. I'm not trying to treat her like an "egg".... in fact, I've been trying to get her interested in some other activities because I AM concerned about what she will do to stay active when this portion of her life comes to an end....whether that is after high school or after college. But SHE is concerned about getting hurt in gym because she isn't the type to "take it easy".... when she plays, she goes full on. She would be DEVASTED if she got injured and were unable to swim for an extended period of time. Thanks for taking the time to respond.........P

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Really.... our thought is more like "someone is really good in math and could test OUT of Algebra to be able to go on and take Pre-Calculus".... we aren't trying to get around the rules or bend the rules.... we want to take advantage of the opportunity of her getting the MOST out of her education and it just seems like spending time in PE when she is already in a dedicated physical activity 15 hours a week is just not getting the most of her educational hours....................P

Your school either allows it or it doesn't. Does it say in your student handbook that waivers are allowed?

 

[scjo68]

I looked into this for my daughter, who figure skates competitively.

At the high school level here, you can earn PE credits out of school. You have to complete a certain # of hours in approved sports, but the catch is it can't be the same sport- it must be 4 different sports. So your regular sport only fulfills 1/4 of the hours. But kids are usually able to find other sports that complement. For example, our rink sometimes offers sessions of ballet, stretch classes, pilates for conditioning, and those would probably work.

Health is completed online.

Good luck!

 

[Pinkpony]

My twins kept putting off P.E. year after year. During enrollment for their senior year, their counselor suggested waiving P.E. for them so they could fit another AP class into their schedule. They weren't trying to get out of P.E.; it was the counselor's suggestion. So maybe she could try that angle? The schools are always wanting more AP participation.

 

[MELSMICE]

In our area student athletes HAVE to participate in PE classes and if they miss PE for that day they are ineligible to compete in a game or even practice for their sport. You might want to check into this.

This is how it is in our district also. It's also a state law that you must take PE for 4 years throughout high school. Actually, our PE program runs from kindergarten through 12th grade.

You are right... she is one of those "overachievers" and she does enjoy "playing" during gym.... but when you are taking the course load that she is, gym just seems like a waste of time.

If you were able to do this she may benefit more from a study hall then. I know my DD's all took full course loads all 4 years. I was never big on study halls, probably because when I was in high school they were just fool around time.

When my DD's were in school & I realized the school cracked down & a study hall was dedicated to 45 minutes of actual studying & homework I became a believer. It really helped with their busy after school schedules when they could get some work done during the day.

 

[Becky2005]

Our school lets students who are on a Varsity sport get a PE waiver (I think marching band too) -- HOWEVER, it's *only* good during the season of your sport and you can NOT take another class in it's place.

You would have a study hall during what would be PE time for you.

Other than a medical excuse, in which you would then have to do research on 2 papers/week for the time you are out that relate to heatlh/fitness and then have to summarize them in your own words & what you learned from them.

Those are the only ways I know you can get out of PE -- I think there might also be a Senior exception if the college you have been accepted into has a required class you don't have & don't have any other room in your schedule for it.

 

[TheIncredibles!]

Well, I know that would never fly at my high school district here in California. We have mandatory 2 years of high school PE and they have to take it.
And yes, we have many, many star athletes who object to wasting their time, playing something that is not focused on their main sport, but that's tough I guess.

My son also swims year round, and he still took PE his first two years.

It's like saying someone is really good in math, so doesn't need Algebra...Well, they still have to take the mandatory math units.

I know that's how it is in CA.

Wow! In our district from 7th grade through 12th grade you have to take PE every day, all year long for all 6 years. I have never heard of people getting exemptions or not having to take PE every day.

 

[castleview]

Wow! In our district from 7th grade through 12th grade you have to take PE every day, all year long for all 6 years. I have never heard of people getting exemptions or not having to take PE every day.

I agree with that policy. If we want people to get at least thirty minutes exercise everyday, we might as well not teach people that you no longer need to exercise after sophomore year.

 

[allison443]

WEll.... that certainly gives me even more to think about!! Yes, it is a graded class.

You all are giving me much more to think about regarding this..... including issues I have never considered.

If the petition doesn't work out, we may try to get her into an AP Chem or Bio over the summer and then just tolerate the PE in her Junior or Senior year (probably senior, since she would like a light workload that year!).

Keep the thoughts flowing.... this will certainly help me when I am presenting her case to the school!.....................P

I haven't heard of AP classes being offered over the summer around here...does you high school offer that or would she take it another school (at a cost?) or what?
The AP exam would still be in May though, right?

Just genuinely curious as my dds took numerous APs and I hadn't heard that this might be possible. It actually seems like a good idea as the student would focus on only the one subject in the summer. I've only heard of summer classes being offered for kids who need to retake them due to grades.

Thanks for any info.

 

[SydSim]

.

It's like saying someone is really good in math, so doesn't need Algebra...Well, they still have to take the mandatory math units.

Actually, I see it more as if my child is taking Calculus at the local community college, then why does she have to take it in HS this year.

 

[tvguy]

Well, I know that would never fly at my high school district here in California. We have mandatory 2 years of high school PE and they have to take it.

And yes, we have many, many star athletes who object to wasting their time, playing something that is not focused on their main sport, but that's tough I guess.

My son also swims year round, and he still took PE his first two years.

It's like saying someone is really good in math, so doesn't need Algebra...Well, they still have to take the mandatory math units.

I know that's how it is in CA.

A simple doctor's note will get you out of the PE requirement in California. But, that is of no help to the OP because her daughter has no medical reason not to take PE. My son played High School sports, and to be on the sports teams the coaches REQUIRED you to take PE every year you were on a team, up to all 4 years in high school.

 

[honugirl]

One angle on why to stay in PE is that some studies have shown that athletes that play several sports tend to do better at their chosen sport than those singularly focused because their bodies are overall more well rounded. Many hockey players seem drawn to lacrosse and baseball and they end up much better for it. Figure skaters tend to do dance and other things like yoga and pilates.

 

[disfan07]

You could not get exempt from PE in my high school. Well, actually, I take that back. I do know of 1 person who got exempt but it wasnt to take another class. They were an elite gymnast and their training began before the school day was over so they made gym class her last period of the day and she just didnt take the class. But that was a major exception. No one was allowed to be exempt from gym class just because they were an athlete.

The Varsity athletes (football, basketball, volleyball, etc) are all required to take the 2 years of mandatory PE AND have to take wieght training the last 2 years. Its part of the agreement when they make the team.

Personally, I dont think there should be exemptions because your an athlete but thast JMO.

 

[PrincesCJM]

I haven't read all of the replies but I think it will come down to whether or not PE is a state requirement for graduation. Because it is a requirement in Maine, I doubt that a high school staff member could make the decision. I'm guessing it would have to go further up the chain.

Is it possible that she could participate in an alternate PE activity? Last year, when one of my students (I teach high school) was pregnant and in PE, she was required to walk.

 

[bluesaturn]

I think you should try to get her out of it. I hated gym with a burning passion, so every kid who gets a waiver makes me feel like we're sticking it to the horrible man who created gym class

 

[Aristomommy]

We have that option and I know some competitive athletes have used it. One girl was a figure skater and practiced in the morning and then came to school for the rest of the day. It was like she had a gym class in the morning instead of completing the gym requirement outside of school hours.

I think it's wonderful for you child to take extra science. I would just make sure how much more homework it will add. With swimming every day she may feel overwhelmed by a rigorous schedule. Here kids spend hours on homework and projects.

 

[golfgal]

She took a heavy course load last year and again this year (except for the PE, which she dropped the first week of Sept. to gain a study hall) and will end her Sophomore year with enough credits to enter the next year as a senior (although she wants to attend her full 4 years). She will have the time in her schedule to take an AP class plus a half year class, be it a fine arts requirement or PE. ....................P

Doesn't your district have required courses kids have to take each year? A lot of kids in our school gain enough credits to graduate early but there are district and state requirements that have to be met all the way through Senior year. Even with our 7 class periods/day there is no way a student could graduate in 3 years here.

I don't think our school allows waivers for PE. I wish they did for kids in sports/marching band, etc. Something else to keep in mind, however, is that if she adds one more class to her schedule, that is how many extra hours/day for homework? Does she have time to fit that in too??

 

[MELSMICE]

Doesn't your district have required courses kids have to take each year? A lot of kids in our school gain enough credits to graduate early but there are district and state requirements that have to be met all the way through Senior year. Even with our 7 class periods/day there is no way a student could graduate in 3 years here.

I don't think our school allows waivers for PE. I wish they did for kids in sports/marching band, etc. Something else to keep in mind, however, is that if she adds one more class to her schedule, that is how many extra hours/day for homework? Does she have time to fit that in too??

Our district has required classes for 4 years also. Every student has to take 4 years of English/Language Arts, Global/History & I think some sort of Match. I'm not 100% positive about the Match. I know my girls took math for 4 years, but not sure if it was required.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I think you should try to get her out of it. I hated gym with a burning passion, so every kid who gets a waiver makes me feel like we're sticking it to the horrible man who created gym class

My dd is going to try to get out of the PE requirement at her college. I told her it probably not going to happen but since she has a repaired heart defect she said it is worth a shot.

I am not doing it, but I did give her the phone numbers.