Oops!

Gym-Free Queens School Sounds Awesome, But Is Not

By Rosie Gray Sat., Mar. 19 2011 at 3:59 PM
Categories: Education, Long Island City, Oops!, Queens, Schools, The Children
dodgeball.jpg
​A high school in Queens just sort of forgot to offer gym classes. Which -- woohoo! But actually, gym credits are required in order to graduate in the New York City public school system. So about 100 seniors at the Robert F. Wagner Secondary School in Long Island City might not be able to graduate unless they can make up all that missed gym before the end of the school year. How did nobody notice this before?

Look, we all get that gym sucks. A bunch of hormonal kids in shorts feeling self-conscious about their kickball skills, and by extension, everything. And getting sweaty in the middle of the school day, which is gross and annoying. But -- doesn't matter! Schools have to offer it. And it's pretty bizarre that this school's principal was like, "What is 'gym'?"

The kids are freaking out. One of them told CBS, "Words can't even express how mad we all are. They messed up big time and they're not coming up with a plausible solution." Solutions such as counting Wii Fit workouts as gym hours have actually been suggested by school administration. The students are claiming that the school has encouraged them to cheat and ask private gyms to sign papers saying they've been working out.

The Department of Education is getting involved and investigating the matter. It makes sense that the students are upset, but it doesn't make sense that no one complained or noticed before. Has everyone at this high school just been in a collective fugue state?

[CBS via Gothamist]

[rgray@villagevoice.com] [@_rosiegray]

Email to Friend
Print Article

We Recommend

My Voice Nation Help
2 comments
  Livefyre
Sort: Newest | Oldest
Candace
Candace

I agree with the point made about nobody noticing until now. It's irresponsible of the school and unfair to the students attending the school. True we all hated gym, but we all had to go through with it. Also it's ridiculous for a school principal to ask what gym is, for the sake of the student I hope this is resolved quickly.

www.creditresolution.com

Donotspam
Donotspam

The school should be given an award. Gym class turns kids off to sports and physical activity, in which they would likely engage naturally on their own were it not for the bad taste that gym leaves in their mouths. And it's a good way to save money that would otherwise be paid to incompetent and often sadistic "teachers." As Woody Allen famously said: "Those who can't, teach, and those who can't teach teach gym."

Let the kids show competence at some physical activity and be done with it.

VOICE Daily Deals

From the Vault

 

Slideshows»

©2013 Village Voice, LLC, All rights reserved.
Browse Voice Nation
  • Voice Places New York

    Voice Places

    Find everything you're looking for in your city

  • Happy Hour App

    Happy Hour App

    Find the best happy hour deals in your city

  • Daily Deals

    Daily Deals

    Get today's exclusive deals at savings of anywhere from 50-90%

  • Best Of

    Best Of...

    Check out the hottest list of places and things to do around your city