Look around any American high school, and you will see that American teenagers struggle to remain fit. Their struggle occurs in a time when fatty foods and sluggish tendencies often get to even the most health-conscious of students. In fact, child obesity has become so common that even First Lady Michelle Obama has taken it on as her cause célèbre.
Fortunately, Southfield High School is lucky enough to have a weight and exercise room equipped with all sorts of physical training equipment. These workout rooms are regarded in high schools as precious gems. Though all students need to be healthy and fit, Southfield High restricts use of the weight room to those on sports teams and those enrolled in physical education classes, and this is a problem.
It’s easy to agree that the health and wellness of all Blue Jays is a priority in the minds of administration and faculty at Southfield High. However, it’s time that the school explores taking action on that priority by opening up the workout room to the general school population.
Coaches say the reason behind the closed-door policy of the workout room is simple: the equipment can be hazardous if not used properly, and permitting use of it by students without adult supervision is a liability.
If the workout room were open to students during lunch or after-school, and a student got hurt, the school would be responsible. At the same time, imagine the health benefits students would yield if they were allowed access to the workout room.
Administration should consider establishing a workout room schedule that provides the average student an adult-supervised opportunity to take advantage of the plethora of exercise equipment available. It could be Mondays and Wednesdays after school or during lunch hours. Despite budget cuts and staff layoffs, it’s inconceivable to imagine there is no way possible to hire one staff member to supervise the room for one or two hours a week. It’s really just a matter of financial priorities.
Libraries and computer labs aren’t available solely to book worms and bloggers, and the same should be true of the workout room. It’s a school resource that only a small amount of students are frequently allowed to experience. As Thomas Jefferson said, “A strong body makes the mind strong.”