BY EMILY RYAN

The new four-point system implemented in many MHS gym classes has been a source of great confusion for countless students ever since its inception this fall. The system consists of a daily grade out of four possible points, broken down into different criteria such as participation and preparation. A student can be absent for a certain number of classes, yet still pass the class if he has enough points. At first thought, this sounds like a pretty good deal, but under careful consideration it is clear that the system is not logical.

For example, Student A falls ill and misses a week of class while Student B skips two classes. Student A may potentially fail the class, while Student B remains more or less unaffected. Student A’s situation is only made worse by the prospect of having to do a makeup session.

It turns out I’m at risk for failing gym this quarter. On April 15, I left school early to catch a flight to California for spring break. On April 29, I was absent from school, because I was visiting colleges. On May 9, I took my AP Physics exam. Are those not all legitimate reasons for missing not just gym, but the rest of my classes as well? Did I really do something so outrageous that I don’t deserve to pass? As a second-semester junior, my time is mostly spent stressing about AP scores, writing college essays, getting a summer job and balancing extracurricular activities. Why should I have also to be worrying about failing gym class?

Before I criticize gym further, I must make it clear that I’m a proponent of living a healthy lifestyle. I love running and dancing, and I think I might even want to be a nutritionist. One day, I would love to write a nutrition and exercise book that puts an end to America’s deathly habits.

Nothing feels better than a good and sweaty workout at the gym. The keyword here is gym, not gym class. There is nothing like that dreadful feeling of walking into the gym during the middle of the hectic school day and having a racquet shoved in my hand.

The point system is flawed in many ways, causing a busy MHS student unnecessary stress over gym class. But the most significant flaw is that real life fitness does not consist of points (unless you’re on WeightWatchers)thus students aren’t gaining any true fitness experiences. Forcing students to half-heartedly fill out paperwork in the weight room for 40 minutes is not going to solve the obesity crisis; it will take a lot more time, effort and skillful planning to accomplish that goal. I don’t yet have a solution for reforming MHS gym class, but rest assured, I’m working on it. Gym should be effortlessly fun for everybody. At the end of the period, it should allow students to realize that they are happily glistening with a light film of sweat and achievement.