Some thoughts fit to print

As the Pilot reported last week in “Students outpace averages in

fitness,” students in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District had a

slightly greater percentage of physically-fit students compared to a

statewide average.

Pilot intern Dane Grace went to Adams Elementary School in Costa

Mesa to find out if people think children are more out of shape than

they used to be, and what they think schools can do to get them back

into better shape.

“Yes, I do. I think you should take their PlayStations from them

and go outside and play.”

DAN DILLON, 55

Costa Mesa

“Oh, yes. I am a third-grade teacher. I see every week that my

students have a hard time running around the field. I think they have

too much sedentary time, and they sit too much. I think P.E. [should

start] instructing, organizing calisthenics training.”

SUZY GRIFFEN, 40

Costa Mesa

“I think they are more in shape, from looking at my children. But

I am from another country. I try to let my kids do sports.”

CLAUDIA FREIDBERGER, 40

Costa Mesa

“I think they are in worse shape, because of more technology, more

junk food and too much TV. They should exercise more, eat healthier

food.”

BRANDON COMBS, 11

Costa Mesa

“I think they’re in better shape because now we have better

activities and more fields to run -- more exercises to do. They’re

serving better food [at the school cafeteria].”

DILAN REYES, 9

Costa Mesa