When Angie Hargreaves and Chris Ford, the physical education teachers at Dana L. West High School in Port Byron, researched obesity rates locally, they knew they had to do something.
Jason Rearick / The Citizen
C.J. Kudla spots Mike Bernardoni during a set of squats at the Panther Fitness Club at Dana L. West High School in Port Byron Monday morning.
C.J. Kudla spots Mike Bernardoni during a set of squats at the Panther Fitness Club at Dana L. West High School in Port Byron Monday morning.
The findings were much higher than the national average, Hargreaves said.
After a process that took 11 years to put in place, the Panther Fitness Club has been instituted to instill in the students a life-long understanding of the importance of physical activity.
Participants of the club sign a contract quarterly saying that they will work out two to three times per week for five out of each of the six-week marking periods. The day before they were due for the third quarter, “contracts are rolling in,” Ford said.
More than one fourth of the high school, or about 120 students of less than 400 students, have participated each quarter since it began last March, and Ford said he expects the number to continue to grow.
The program is not mandatory, but students must be active in either the fitness club or a writing curriculum, as it accounts for points added into overall credit for physical education.
“At first I thought that I don't want to take away from a program like the writing program,” Hargreaves said. “But I'm willing to make the sacrifice, because I think it's important. The kids who hate to write might join, or athletes, or some trying to get healthier. Without saying it, there are some kids who are overweight and they know this will help them.”
In New York, physical education is required in high schools. Unfortunately, in other places, it is being cut from required curriculum to boost test scores, which can give the impression that staying active is not an important aspect of life, Hargreaves said.
“Companies have researched extensively how to increase the productivity of their employees,” Ford said. “Overwhelmingly they found people wanted a place to work out. Production increased, absences were down - exercise gives you energy.”
“It's amazing that schools haven't seen that,” Hargreaves said.
Although it took a long time, Port Byron Central School District and the Panther Fitness Club are moving in the right direction. Last spring, they were able to purchase “new used” equipment for the school's fitness center from Baldwinsville High School, which was getting new machines.
“Now we could do something,” Hargreaves said. Before, there had been a walking club, but that could only take place during the warm seasons on the outdoor track. “Now we could expand.”
The club gives students three options to work out - at 6 a.m., during the 10:30 a.m. advisory period or after school - to accommodate everyone involved, Ford said.
And while the contract doesn't require it, most students make the decision to work out five days a week.
“To show the dedication,” Ford said pointing to junior Michael Bernardoni, “Mike got home from a basketball game at 11:25 last night and he was here and ready to go at 6 a.m.”
“You work out, go to school, go to practice,” Bernardoini said of his daily routine.
That might seem like a lot for students who have school work and extracurricular activities, but like Bernardoini, junior Tyler Quanbeck, sees the strength of the program.
“It keeps you energized,” he said.
Hargreaves and Ford said they have noticed the students are proud of their accomplishments, because it takes a lot of dedication to start a fitness program and stick to it.
“All the students involved put forth an honest effort, and it's an all or nothing deal,” Hargreaves said. “If you go 4 1/2 weeks and miss the last day, you'll get a zero. It's a big level of commitment. It teaches them that there are no half ways in life.”
And fitness, Ford said, needs to become a life-long commitment, something he and Hargreaves have embraced as role models.
“The kids don't see us carrying McDonald's bags, they see us eating salads. They see us working out with them in the weight room,” Hargreaves said. “We have a responsibility to be this way if we are going to teach them to stay healthy. It would be like telling them not to smoke with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth.”
Other staff members have also caught on and have begun hitting the gym and asking Ford and Hargreaves for advice - like how to use the machines properly or that cardio and weight training are both necessary to lose weight.
The students have already caught on, although some young men might say girls tend to do more cardio.
Junior Alyssa Jorgensen agreed, but said she also likes to utilize the weights.
“Boys don't intimidate me, but it feels better when you lift with girls because they are smaller,” she said honestly, the fact that it is done is what's important.
Drastic differences will likely not be seen through fitness club, but even the slightest results is key to both young people and adults, Hargreaves said.
“To see a bicep for the first time is exciting if they didn't have one before,” she said. “One girl in particular is very proud of herself, and she should be - she's worked very hard and has lost some weight.”
This is also encouraging to Hargreaves who, along with Ford, is thrilled with the student response to the program. She said she would stand on a soap box everyday if she could to draw attention to America's obesity problem. It's something she feels needs to be combated and only since it has become a national issue has there been any attention given to the importance of physical education in schools.
“I think you are going to start to see a lean toward even more focus on physical education ,” Ford said. “I think it has already somewhat started.”
They are taking it one step at a time. The fitness center has been improved, Ford said now he would like to see more supplemental programs to promote healthy lifestyles. The students in the writing cirriculum have done research on the fast food industry, smoking and other health issues for articles, but he would someday like to also see a nutrition department at the school.
“It's an uphill battle,” he said knowing that it takes a lot of work to get a new department implemented.
For now, they will take what they can get, and are just pleased with the enthusiasm throughout the school with fitness club.
“It's motivating because you can see the benefits and feel stronger. I think our sports teams will even be better next year because of it,” Quanbeck said.
Junior CJ Kudla agrees adding, “And we have fun working out together.”
Staff writer Laura Boyce can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 236 or at laura.boyce@lee.net
After a process that took 11 years to put in place, the Panther Fitness Club has been instituted to instill in the students a life-long understanding of the importance of physical activity.
Participants of the club sign a contract quarterly saying that they will work out two to three times per week for five out of each of the six-week marking periods. The day before they were due for the third quarter, “contracts are rolling in,” Ford said.
More than one fourth of the high school, or about 120 students of less than 400 students, have participated each quarter since it began last March, and Ford said he expects the number to continue to grow.
The program is not mandatory, but students must be active in either the fitness club or a writing curriculum, as it accounts for points added into overall credit for physical education.
“At first I thought that I don't want to take away from a program like the writing program,” Hargreaves said. “But I'm willing to make the sacrifice, because I think it's important. The kids who hate to write might join, or athletes, or some trying to get healthier. Without saying it, there are some kids who are overweight and they know this will help them.”
In New York, physical education is required in high schools. Unfortunately, in other places, it is being cut from required curriculum to boost test scores, which can give the impression that staying active is not an important aspect of life, Hargreaves said.
“Companies have researched extensively how to increase the productivity of their employees,” Ford said. “Overwhelmingly they found people wanted a place to work out. Production increased, absences were down - exercise gives you energy.”
“It's amazing that schools haven't seen that,” Hargreaves said.
Although it took a long time, Port Byron Central School District and the Panther Fitness Club are moving in the right direction. Last spring, they were able to purchase “new used” equipment for the school's fitness center from Baldwinsville High School, which was getting new machines.
“Now we could do something,” Hargreaves said. Before, there had been a walking club, but that could only take place during the warm seasons on the outdoor track. “Now we could expand.”
The club gives students three options to work out - at 6 a.m., during the 10:30 a.m. advisory period or after school - to accommodate everyone involved, Ford said.
And while the contract doesn't require it, most students make the decision to work out five days a week.
“To show the dedication,” Ford said pointing to junior Michael Bernardoni, “Mike got home from a basketball game at 11:25 last night and he was here and ready to go at 6 a.m.”
“You work out, go to school, go to practice,” Bernardoini said of his daily routine.
That might seem like a lot for students who have school work and extracurricular activities, but like Bernardoini, junior Tyler Quanbeck, sees the strength of the program.
“It keeps you energized,” he said.
Hargreaves and Ford said they have noticed the students are proud of their accomplishments, because it takes a lot of dedication to start a fitness program and stick to it.
“All the students involved put forth an honest effort, and it's an all or nothing deal,” Hargreaves said. “If you go 4 1/2 weeks and miss the last day, you'll get a zero. It's a big level of commitment. It teaches them that there are no half ways in life.”
And fitness, Ford said, needs to become a life-long commitment, something he and Hargreaves have embraced as role models.
“The kids don't see us carrying McDonald's bags, they see us eating salads. They see us working out with them in the weight room,” Hargreaves said. “We have a responsibility to be this way if we are going to teach them to stay healthy. It would be like telling them not to smoke with a cigarette hanging out of my mouth.”
Other staff members have also caught on and have begun hitting the gym and asking Ford and Hargreaves for advice - like how to use the machines properly or that cardio and weight training are both necessary to lose weight.
The students have already caught on, although some young men might say girls tend to do more cardio.
Junior Alyssa Jorgensen agreed, but said she also likes to utilize the weights.
“Boys don't intimidate me, but it feels better when you lift with girls because they are smaller,” she said honestly, the fact that it is done is what's important.
Drastic differences will likely not be seen through fitness club, but even the slightest results is key to both young people and adults, Hargreaves said.
“To see a bicep for the first time is exciting if they didn't have one before,” she said. “One girl in particular is very proud of herself, and she should be - she's worked very hard and has lost some weight.”
This is also encouraging to Hargreaves who, along with Ford, is thrilled with the student response to the program. She said she would stand on a soap box everyday if she could to draw attention to America's obesity problem. It's something she feels needs to be combated and only since it has become a national issue has there been any attention given to the importance of physical education in schools.
“I think you are going to start to see a lean toward even more focus on physical education ,” Ford said. “I think it has already somewhat started.”
They are taking it one step at a time. The fitness center has been improved, Ford said now he would like to see more supplemental programs to promote healthy lifestyles. The students in the writing cirriculum have done research on the fast food industry, smoking and other health issues for articles, but he would someday like to also see a nutrition department at the school.
“It's an uphill battle,” he said knowing that it takes a lot of work to get a new department implemented.
For now, they will take what they can get, and are just pleased with the enthusiasm throughout the school with fitness club.
“It's motivating because you can see the benefits and feel stronger. I think our sports teams will even be better next year because of it,” Quanbeck said.
Junior CJ Kudla agrees adding, “And we have fun working out together.”
Staff writer Laura Boyce can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 236 or at laura.boyce@lee.net
