Happy Miss Piggy

We Americans do a lot of gobbledygook talking!  A recent study concludes that 'overweight' issues found in early elementary children is a strong indicator of life-long obesity. How about that sports fans?? Therefore, parents are wanting 'schools' to address the problem with 'exercise-fitness' programs. Personally, my take...That's what parents tell officials but don't 'bank' on the request sincerity.


The following opinion, which I am about to state is based upon 'frontline' trench knowledge resulting in my 25-years experience as a public high school physical education instructor from 1962-1987. I recall in the mid-1960's when our physical education classes were held daily. The routine back then was always vigorous calisthenics, running, physical testing and competitive games. Every student dressed for physical education classes in approved uniforms and every student took a shower after class...no exceptions. This policy was supported by school policy makers and the administration. The landscape slowly but surely eroded over the years and by the 1980's all kinds of excuses were advanced to avoid physical (activities) education, which might cause kids to sweat. The deterioration and dismantling of physical education classes as a viable attempt to help promote a child's physical health can be traced to four factors: (1) Mothers who sent endless, "Please excuse...notes, (2) School administrators who became weak-kneed in support of the physical education program. (3) School districts began identifying physical education classes as non-essential when financial cut backs were made and (4) The athlete's began getting waivers from physical education participation; then every other extra-curricular activity organization made its demands to be given equal treatment, i.e., the athletes. Soon the physical education class was reduced to the borderline highly probable drop-out student with whom teachers would argue daily about doing anything. The popular daily 'fuss' between instructor and students was wearing the proper uniform and taking a post-class shower. At every turn the parents stood by their kids and fought the system.
And NOW, I am to believe that the little turd-blossoms of 1980's who used all those bogus 'please excuse me from P.E. notes' wish for the gym-teachers to 'crack-that-whip' on THEIR kids...PLEASE, don't crap me! You parents will fold like a cheap accordion when Missy and Junior play the pity-card!!
Many Mommies and Daddies want to make their kids happy...even at the risk of creating little happy-fat-asses.