New Gym Classes Have Students Getting Ready for the Masters
NEIRAD enilno edition
It was a shock to most Darien High School students to see golf, table tennis, and other new gym classes on their schedules. “I really like how there are more options for us, but I think it would be better if the upper classmen had first dibs on classes that they want to take” said senior Katherine Dostal. New physical education classes are being offered in the athletic department but students are primarily wondering why they can’t choose their own gym classes from the courses offered.
“We thought it would provide more class options and excitement for the students” said the athletic director, Mr. John Keleher. Mainly the athletic department hoped to make students enthusiastic about trying new physical activities that would bring a nice change to the usual gym classes.
The new gym classes that are being offered are golf, table tennis, and weight training is now considered fitness. The new weight training is to teach students the basics behind working out. “I really like the change of pace for the new gym classes but it would be fun to see more classes like rock climbing, boxing, and other classes that I’ve never taught” said Coach Jared Cross.
DHS students are open to learning new sports in gym class but wonder how the athletic department will be organizing the classes. “We were told to bring dirty sneakers and prepare ourselves to get wet but I just really want a gym class where I can relax between my classes” said junior Caroline Orem thinking about her future golf class. Many new golf students aren’t sure what type of golf they are going to learn. “I think we are just going to play games of chip and putt and watch some golf videos” said senior Erin Hannon. Students don’t understand how they are expected to play golf on the football field. “Either way it will just help me prepare for that green jacket at The Masters next year” Hannon jokes with Orem.
Many students also believe that varsity athletes should be able to choose whether or not to take physical education. Very few students are serious about their physical education classes because they are dedicated to their own sport. Students who play sports believe that since they have long practices they shouldn’t have to take physical education. Senior Carly Berizzi agrees, “I think that the new choices are fun but varsity athletes still shouldn’t have to go to gym class.”
Many DHS students participate in a sport every season in the school year and already have challenging workouts at their practices. “It just doesn’t make sense for students who are already doing sports to have to go to gym class but I think the new choices for the underclassmen would be fun to try” said Berizzi.
“I didn’t even really know that there were new gym classes. No one knew that more classes were being offered but I think that I would rather play golf for fun than lift weights” said senior Tyler Gould. On average students seem happy about the change because students were starting to get tired of monotonously lifting weights or relearning volleyball every year.
Physical Education teachers seem excited about the new gym classes. “Teachers sometimes like and sometimes dislike change because it brings different tasks to the table” Guidance Counselor, Ms. Lisa Messineo said. “But I think everyone should be excited about the change in the curriculum.”
Coach Nick DeMaio is excited for the change in classes because some gym teachers at DHS have been teaching the same sports for three or four years. “It is a change of pace for me, I like teaching something different and students seem to be interested” said Coach DeMaio. Coach DeMaio has one golf class and is excited to teach students the swing and basic elements of golf. “I voted for skydiving but that wasn’t in the budget for the school since the gas is too expensive” joked Coach DeMaio.
“I really like how other schools like, New Canaan High School, provide fun gym classes like yoga for variety” said sophomore Angelina Bajra. DHS students still think that even more variety should be provided that can help students have even more enjoyment out of physical education. “I think the new classes will be more fun than the gym classes from last year but I would really like to see more field sports or badminton; sports that students don’t often play” said sophomore Peter Kreuch.
Some students are excited to see a change. “They’re okay. I really like how we can have more options to play and learn different sports but that means that there is less of a chance to be in the same class as some of our friends,” said senior Emily Olsen. The new gym classes have brought a change in the physical education curriculum that most students are excited to try, yet some are still wondering when they will get to be with their friends and get to decide what class to take.
