BY JANE WIESENBERG

A new school year brings new classes, new teachers and new friends. This year, there is something else to add to the list– the new gym system. For those who may not be aware of the new protocol, it involves students weighing and measuring themselves, running a mile and doing push-ups and chin-ups. While being forced to run a mile and do push-sups and chin-ups can be unpopular and a nuisance, it is hard to argue that they are invasive. However, having students record their weight can be ominous and uncomfortable.

According to Physical Education Teacher Joe Toombs, the reforms made to the curriculum are in response to the district’s central administration request that the school collect “more data” on their students. The responsibility to design the specific program was then left to the high school’s athletic director.

Now, I’m not going to try to interpret the administration’s words or motives, but I will point out that “data” is a very vague term. Therefore, it seems unnecessary that a personal matter such as one’s weight be measured in gym class. With so many other, less private elements of health and fitness, like the other ones measured as part of the new system (speed, endurance, etc.), one must wonder why the district finds students’ weights to be necessary. Not to mention, if it is really data on students’ weights that the district is looking for, they don’t need to spend class time collecting it; in fact, they need to look no farther than the Nurses’ Office, where everyone’s weights are required to be on file.

It is not controversial that teenagers must weigh themselves. After all, at one point or another, everyone has to. However, there are two negative sides to the way in which the process has been carried out. First, there is little to no privacy. The gym staff’s solution to this issue was to place an orange cone behind the scales so that other students in line couldn’t see the weights of the people in front of them. Realistically, a cone does nothing; if someone wants to see someone else’s weight, he or she will, regardless of a small obstruction. A mere cone does not serve as a security blanket. Second, sharing your weight with your teacher could be degrading and embarrassing.

There are better ways to carry out this system. The weight data should simply be eliminated. It is unnecessary, stress inducing and frankly invasive. In its place, there should be other assessments, such as lifting weights. It doesn’t take more than a little bit of creativity to come up with fun and less intimidating solutions.

The new gym system is clearly a work in progress. The best way to alter it is not to disobey it (as with anything, there will be consequences), but to work to reform it; everyone should be encouraged to come up with improved ideas and to submit them to the administration in writing. After all, with a few tweaks, the program could be an efficient one, in which students are encouraged to increase their fitness levels in a fun and low-pressure environment.