I hope what I am hearing is not true, so disappointed if it is!

Has Anyone Heard of a Fitness Gram?

My kids all through elementary, middle and high school did something called a Fitness Gram. I believe it was through a grant. The state required this to be done. A report was supposed to be issued to the parents about their child’s fitness, the state was to provide the report. We only received one report from the state, that was it, after all the years of assessing one report.

The state added another assessment and teachers and kids did their part but the state never followed up with a continuous report. In my opinion, it was a waste of the students and teachers time. The teacher was required to test each child individually, on multiple items, which meant all elementary students sat there and had to watch which meant no PE for a few days. In elementary school, most elementary students only receive PE once a week, so how is sitting on the floor watching kids being assessed and not exercising helping anyone? PE teachers had to input all this data. One PE teacher in an elementary school with 600 kids, testing every student individually and then inputting all the data plus all their other responsibilities; I say just another useless assessment put upon our students and teachers.

Why Must Schools Choose Between Larger Class Sizes or Unified Arts Programs?

I believe every school in our state should have technology, pe, art, music, library and talented and gifted programs. I know it costs lots of money. Our class sizes should not have to suffer because of these programs. Schools should not have to choose between class size and the arts. These programs are just as important as reading, math, social studies and science.

My daughter participated in Youth in Government, she wrote a bill called the Mandatory Unified Arts. I am proud to say, she won best Senate Bill that year. Just a shout out to Melissa Tracy at Conrad for running a fabulous program and Beth Blohm for chaperoning every year.

Thoughts? Do you agree or disagree with me? Very interested to hear what folks have to say.