Schools Change Names of Physical Education and Health Programs

Brookline Public Schools renamed its physical education and health programs to Wellness Education. The change was proposed to the School Committee on April 12, and passed with a vote of 7-2.

Health educators in Brookline proposed the name change because they believe Wellness Education is a more fitting description of the health and fitness program curriculum.

“The health and wellness programs are guided by current national standards… they offer a comprehensive, coordinated, skills-based approach to children’s health and well-being,” said Tina Bozeman, the Health and Fitness Department Chair for Brookline Public Schools, to the School Committee.

The current curriculum includes physical health, mental and emotional health, social health, intellectual health, and ethical health, and according to Bozeman, this is what comprises wellness

Prior to the name change, the physical health and education programs had different names depending on grade level. Wellness Education will include K-8 Physical Education, 7-8 Health Education, and 9-12 Health and Fitness.

“The name change allows us to unify our structure,” said Bozeman, “we won’t be so siloed.”

Prior to this change, the name of the ninth grade health and fitness class had already been changed from Integrated Health and Fitness to Lifetime Wellness. Similarly, that change was made because it was decided that it would be a more accurate description of what was being taught, according to school officials.

Alina Milauskas is a communications student at Newbury College.