By Isaiah Boyles
In the midst of our current pandemic, every teacher has been faced with uncertainty as to how they plan to overcome the obstacles of hybrid learning. A class that is sometimes overlooked when considering the impact of COVID-19 is physical education, more commonly referred to as gym class.
Our Phys. Ed. teachers have been actively working on the perfect setup for gym classes for both in-person and online students to enjoy and benefit from. However, with all that is going on in regards to COVID-19, nearly every highly-favored gym unit has been altered or scrapped due to social distancing and overall health protocols, leaving us with the question: what does COVID-safe gym class look like?
Luckily, there are currently a couple of units we still have left to choose from that allow students to stay safe, get their proper exercise in, and have fun while doing so. Currently, in-person gym classes have been engaging in the badminton unit, the first unit to be approved due to its ability to follow CDC regulations. As the badminton unit is ending and gym classes look forward to the third quarter and the second semester as a whole, many are questioning what comes next.
When asked about the plan for in-person gym classes going forward Mr. Resendiz said, “For the spring, we will be outside as much as possible. Similar to the Fall with the exception of being able to use some of our equipment. Some activities that we are currently planning outdoors are soccer, leisure sports (Kan-Jam, spike ball) and Wiffle ball. We like to add choices for students and this will also include hiking and walking for fitness.”
As warmer weather comes in for the second semester, gym classes plan on getting students outside and active while maintaining proper physical distancing, but until the weather permits, classes will remain inside. For now, Mr. Resendiz added, “We will be ending badminton and beginning pickleball and ping pong next month.”
Despite the current COVID-19 situation, our gym teachers here at IHS are finding ways to keep students engaged and active as best as they can. As vaccines are coming out and things could quite possibly begin trending in the right direction, we’ll be on standby to see what IHS phys. ed. will do. next.
