Menlo-Atherton Students Who Play Ball Get Extra Credit

The is tweaking the policy that determines what kind of classes count toward the physical education requirements for obtaining a high school degree from Menlo-Atherton High School, a decision which some parents say makes no sense. 

Administration will draft a new rule that awards 3.5 class credits toward completion of the physical education graduation requirement to student athletes who play for the school teams.

This is an increase of one credit per season of participation on a school team, which allows student athletes to fully satisfy their graduation requirements through credit substitution, rather than through additional physical education classes on top of their service to the team.

The decision was made Wednesday night at the district Board of Trustees meeting in Redwood City.

Superintendent Jim Lianides said that board's decision, which will likely go into effect next year, is justified in the context of the substantial time commitment that student athletes dedicate to participating on school teams. But altering the status quo did not please those who wanted a more substantial shift in policy.

Debbie Romani, whose son attends Carlmont High School, said the district should allow students who participate in off-campus athletics to substitute that for school physical education credits. Romani believes it is unnecessary for her son to be required to take physical education classes that limit his availability to take additional academic courses, while he is playing on a sports team during his own time.

"It doesn't make sense for a kid who is active to have to take the PE class," she told the board.

She said that since the board is setting a precedent by allowing some students to substitute credits for physical education, that same opportunity should be extended to all athletes, regardless of which team they play for.

And though trustees weighed the opinion of Romani and other parents who supported the same effort, ultimately they moved forth in another direction. Much of the discussion amongst trustees Wednesday focused on the value provided by the required physical education classes, and how those lessons benefited students.

"People tend to dismiss PE," said trustee Olivia Martinez. "But there is a difference between physical activity and physical education."

District employees in the physical education and athletic departments who attended the meeting shared many of those same sentiments.

Stacy Morrell, athletic director at Sequoia High School, said she believes in the goal to develop a well-rounded healthy lifestyle for students through the guidance of physical education courses.

To that end, Morrell and others working in the district's athletic community lobbied for implementing a policy that would require all students, including those playing for school teams, to take two full years of physical education and do away with credit substitution outright.

Trustee Alan Sarver said he appreciated the perspective of those on both sides of the issue, but ultimately elected to reward student athletes with additional credit for their commitment.

The district administration will now work to draft official policy language reflecting the will of the board, and then bring it back for final approval at subsequent meetings.