Schools must manage students’ down time Given...

Schools must manage students’ down time

Given the resources of time and money available to schools, there

are only a few things schools can do. The most important one is to

eliminate long periods of inactivity. If children are required to sit

and wait for the bell when they arrive in the morning, then schools

should provide adequate supervision before school so that kids can

play, or walk and talk with friends around playground.

If portable classrooms on the playground have taken away

basketball and handball courts and open space for running and jumping

rope at recess, then fewer children should be out to recess at one

time.

Schools would need to plan more recess periods during the day.

Also, if children are waiting in line to pick up lunch at the

cafeteria, that is taking away from activity time. Fewer classes

should go to lunch at one time.

The greater problem is that the school day is too short to teach

all mandated subjects well. With a longer school day there would be

enough time for daily physical education. Minimally, children should

receive physical education instruction from a physical education

teacher one day per week to insure that all become proficient at

fundamental movement skills.

Folks who can do basic skills like kicking, striking, throwing,

catching, aiming at targets, and absorbing force when landing from

jumps are more likely to maintain fitness over their lifetime.

There is a lot that parents can do to reduce obesity. End screen

time for your child after one hour (TV, video and electronic games).

Walk, bike or skate to school and back home with your child as often

as possible.

Spend time on weekends at the park or beach. Bring your laptop and

latte or handiwork or sketch pad so that you can be productive while

kids play informal ball games, run and climb.

Shop wisely. Choose foods that build health as well as provide

energy. Model eating colorful fruits and vegetables at every meal.

DIANE BAKER

Newport Beach

Primary physical education teacher

Andersen School

Remarkable progress

made with Measure A

This is in response to the Daily Pilot’s question, “Are you

satisfied with the progress made on Measure A construction?”

As a retired teacher who occasionally returns to the classroom to

substitute when needed, I have been able to observe the progress in a

fast-forward time warp. The changes are remarkable.

I retired from teaching second grade in the Newport-Mesa Unified

School District in June, 2003, before Measure A’s renovations were

evident. Previously, we dealt daily with leaky roofs, dark and dingy

classrooms, moldy carpet and drapes, peeling walls, windows that

would not open even in a crisis and dirty, smelly, unsanitary and

unsafe bathrooms.

When teachers used the lounge and bathrooms we were afraid to

touch anything for fear of being contaminated. The schools were

decaying before our eyes.

Recently, I returned to substitute teaching and the changes are

profound. What a pleasure!

I entered Paularino’s new office area to find professional

looking, clean offices. The classrooms are conducive to learning.

At Whittier, new and separate kindergarten classes and playgrounds

made teaching more effective, with fewer injuries and fights as the

younger children enjoyed their own area with age-appropriate

equipment.

Everyone from the principals to the students are in a more

positive learning mood. The students take pride in their schools now

that the schools look better.

To date I’ve been to a renovated Mariner’s, Whittier, College

Park, Killybrooke, Harper, and Davis, and also find them

professional, clean and safe.

Those who always criticize our schools and teachers should now

give praise for a successful venture. The modernized schools work

more efficiently -- and are safer and cleaner. It is a pleasure to

teach in them now.

And most of all -- kudos to our Newport-Mesa residents who

unselfishly passed Measure A to the benefit of our entire community.

This is a rare measure that gets an A+.

MIMI GLUECK

Newport Beach