For many PVHS students, the chiming of the bell at 2:45 signals the end of the school day; however, for eighth period gym students, school lasts until 3:30.
Eighth period gym is a class for students who have full class schedules and who need extra time to fit all their classes. Until recently, it had only been offered as a health club course.
Previously, it had consisted of the usual health club activities: certain rotating units, heart rate monitors, and students splitting up among the three teachers. However, recently, the eighth period gym teachers announced that they will be offering weight lifting courses.
Many students were ecstatic about this option. They had never before been given the opportunity to be in a weight lifting class, no matter how much they may have wanted to be. This was due to their busy schedules.
Sophomore Taze Wilson was especially excited about this change. “I’ve always wanted to be buff, but was always too busy with a full schedule. So when the opportunity presented itself for eighth period, I took it.”
When eighth period gym teacher Brett Ahlgren was asked about the reasons for the change, he echoed the sentiments of the excited students. “The main reason behind it was years of students expressing interest and finally having enough space to implement the class.”
The students’ interest affirmed this statement. When he first offered the opportunity for this course, the great influx of interested students showed that this trial run would be a success. Their initial survey showed that many students were interested in the possibility of this course.
Wilson was one of the students to sign up. He has recently started working out outside of school but is ready to continue with this level of fitness at the school level too. With the coming of this new course, he has also set new goals. “I’d really just like to gain some muscle, be a bit fitter, and be healthier. It’s really all about building healthy habits this year.”
However, this addition has not been without downsides. The class size is not large enough to admit all of the interested students. Only 28 students will be allowed to participate. Ahlgren explained the mindset behind this allocated size. “It is hard to coach and break down everyone technique with a class size that large. Also, for safety reasons you have to stay below 30.”
Because of this reason, many students did not get to sign up. According to Ahlgren, they had to turn away 10-15 additional kids.
Because of the newness of this course, many do not know what to expect with it. However, Ahlgren gave a rundown of it. “It will be run similar to the basic strength and conditioning classes now. The biggest goal will be technique and exposure to different lifts. My goal is for students to lift properly and to have a general idea on what to do when they are lifting on their own.”
Many also wonder at the differences this weight lifting class will have compared to the other basic weight lifting classes offered throughout the day. According to Ahlgren, it will not be any different except that its schedule will be behind since it started a semester later, at the beginning of second semester.
When asked about the transference of the weight lifting credits to other levels if a student ever leaves eighth period, Ahlgren offered insight. “The goal is next year that will become an option. It will not be possible for me to cover everything the students need to know for intermediate in just second semester. Hopefully next year we can make that happen.” So, while the credits this year will not transfer, they may in the future.
Although this course has not taken off yet, its plans for the remainder of the school year are ready. Ahlgren hopes that it will be continued in future years.
A change is certainly coming to eighth period gym. The only thing that remains uncertain is its effects.
