Physical Education Bill
Senate bill #334 At the State House on Tuesday, May 29 th, the Massachusetts Association for Health, Physical Education Recreation and Dance Executive Director, Maria Melchionda, stated that the lack of daily programs is having a pronounced effect on our children and the costs of obesity related illnesses each year exceed the cost per pupil of a quality daily physical education program in any given school district. The average cost per child for insurance nationwide is between $3,743 and $6,730 due to obesity. Physical education programs could average $326-$420 per pupil in most districts, a substantial savings in not only money to the Massachusetts taxpayers, but as part of the solution to the obesity epidemic. Dr. Diane Smith urged the committee to make sure that athletic programs are not substituted for quality physical education programs. " Dr. Bob Rausch spoke from a higher education perspective in which he conveyed that his students are devoted to learning about the teaching profession and work hard to ascertain excellence in teaching. Because physical education is reduced or non-existent in some areas of the state, students enrolled in teaching programs, can be affected negatively. Eunice Sirianos, physical educator from New Bedford, has assessed her fourth grade students and can see the effects first hand. Simply put, they are out of shape, with BMI's of 51% deemed at risk and overweight versus 21% of the first graders. She acknowledged to the committee that it saddens and frustrates her as a professional to know it does not have to be this way. If you would like to learn more about the process of the physical education bill and ways to assist, please call Maria Melchionda, Executive Director at (508)794-1338 maria@ma-hperd.org or Dr. Diane Smith, Advocacy Chair at (413)323-5881 Diane28028@aol.com
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