EDITOR:
”
Nobody cares about what you do Pat,
”
(teach physical education).
EDITOR:
“Nobody cares about what you do Pat,” (teach physical education).
These six words, stated by a district administrator over five years ago, have jolted me awake night after night. At the time I felt that this was the most irresponsible statement a fellow educator could make. To suggest that a lifetime commitment to teaching would be without worth was very disheartening.
The harsh reality for me is to acknowledge that she was so right! Physical education teachers have witnessed this lack of caring by district administrators for decades. Requests for reduced class size (highest teacher-to-pupil ratio in the district), inservice training, teaching resources, equipment and most importantly to be recognized as a valuable component to a child’s education, has been met with indifference.
I want to thank The Dispatch’s ongoing effort to raise public awareness of the health crisis facing our community and country related to physical inactivity (nearly 400,000 deaths/year). You have printed many articles about this crisis. You have sent out reporters to give inside information related to the causes of this crisis, especially in our schools. You have asked challenging questions trying to spark action by community members and school leaders. You have demonstrated the highest level of responsibility, caring.
Perhaps it is time to try a different approach to dealing with this issue.
Perhaps your reporters can find an individual who is on their deathbed because of obesity or lack of physical activity. Find out if this person cares about their health. Search out a family who has recently lost someone to obesity. Ask the family members if they care about the premature loss and preventable death of a loved one. Interview a doctor who has recently treated patients for this health problem. Ask the doctor how much time and energy they have spent on dealing with this preventable health issue. Ask businesses about the economic cost of lost productivity and health care to their industry. I wonder if the business community cares about the loss of profits related to physical inactivity.
Perhaps your reporters can find students who are obese and willing to talk about the lifetime of humiliation and compromised lifestyle they will face. I wonder if they care about their health and physical well-being.
Michigan recently determined the economic cost of physical inactivity, which cost the state nearly $9 billion in 2002. On average, the cost to each tax paying citizen was calculated to $1,175. I wonder if our tax-paying public cares that their money is being used to address this preventable health issue.
True integrity implies you do what is right when no one is looking or when everyone is compromising. It is time for Gilroy Unified School District to stop compromising your child’s education and start caring. It is time for community members to show they care by encouraging the district to find ways to provide quality physical education. The health of our society depends on it!
You will know when a class has physical education by the brightness of the day. The smiling faces, bright eyes and eagerness of energy will be a beacon of light on the darkest of days. I do know that THEY care about physical education.
Pat Vickroy, GUSD Elementary Physical Education Teacher
Submitted Thursday, Nov. 20, to ed****@****ic.com
