SEQUIM — Heather Smith, 15, has won her case, and the cases of other overscheduled teens. For now.
In mid-April, the Sequim High School athlete, musician and History Day champion gave an impassioned speech to the Sequim School District Board of Directors about her need to be excused from physical education courses.
Smith told the board that her packed schedule, which starts with 5:30 a.m. piano practice and ends with homework plus a cross-country run, can scarcely accommodate PE.
The required three semesters of it would keep her out of other courses she needs to get into college, the sophomore added.
In two more meetings, Smith’s father, Henry, and a handful of other parents of busy students pleaded with the board.
And the board agonized: Would waiving the PE requirement lead to overweight kids? Shouldn’t all students be fed the same fitness curriculum?
Finally the School Board voted Monday night to waive PE for students who play high school, community league or Olympic sports, or who perform in the 85th percentile on the Presidential Physical Fitness Tests.
Parental verification
Their parents will have to verify 90 hours of practice or competition for each semester waived.
And the student will have to take a full schedule of courses through all four years of high school.
