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Bonsall High School students earn physical education grades

Online learning for math, science, social studies and language arts can duplicate the lessons from in-class learning along with homework, so teachers can give students grades close to what they would be if the students were based in the classroom.

Grades for Bonsall High School physical education classes are determined somewhat differently, and assignments differ considerably than would be the case for classes based on fields or in gymnasiums.

Physical education involves components other than exercise so Eric Hendy, who is Bonsall High School's physical education department chair as well as the school’s athletic director, is incorporating other elements of physical education.

“They will get a letter grade based on the grade they had in March plus any extra that improves their original March baseline,” Hendy said.

The physical education grades the students had before school was closed will be used as the baseline.

“Their grade can’t go below that,” Hendy said. “They can only increase from wherever they were in March.”

The assignments for students now conducting activity in their homes or yards or in the workplace will not include specific grades or numerical scores.

“The assignments are all credit or no credit,” Hendy said.

Completion of the assignments will add to the components of the students’ March baselines.

“That would increase their grade,” Hendy said.

Some of the assignments involve exercise while others involve other physical fitness matters.

“They’re a combination,” Hendy said.

The physical education students are making facemasks.

“They need to upload a picture of themselves wearing a facemask,” Hendy said.

Hendy said he hopes that the students remain physically active while confined to their homes, workplaces or nearby areas.

“That’s the goal,” he said.

The closure of parks and swimming pools and the elimination of organized sports has forced alternatives to physical activity.

“I provided a calendar that had simple things,” Hendy said.

Hendy is asking students how they are finding ways to remain physically active. In some cases that entails household chores. Those who have joined their families in landscaping or other businesses which involve physical work are obtaining exercise through their jobs, as are other students whose jobs include physical work.

“I was trying to meet the full-length of the spectrum,” Hendy said.

Even if the family doesn’t have a landscaping business, some students can work in the yard of their own homes.

“That was on the list,” Hendy said. “I especially encouraged that to have an excuse to get outside”

Not all students’ homes have yards, but other outdoor activities are still possible.

“Maybe there are some weeds growing in cracks,” Hendy said.

Hendy worked with exercise organizations.

“They provided a variety of resources,” he said.

Students who weren’t satisfied with simple physical activity have been offered more extensive options.

“Some of our athletes were wanting some higher-level stuff, so I sent them some links to different websites and YouTube resources,” Hendy said.

Some children are taking care of younger siblings or other younger household members, and a bit of physical education instruction has also become part of the physical education classes.

“I also gave them some resources which were more kid-friendly,” Hendy said.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at [email protected].

Author Bio

Joe Naiman, Writer

Joe Naiman has been writing for the Village News since 2001

 

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