According to information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), children and adolescents need 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day.

Small periods of activity can really make a difference in the overall well-being of a child.

A requirement that will require an average of 100 minutes of physical education each week at the K-5 grade levels is set to become effective during the 2018-19 school year, per state mandate. Superintendent of Charlotte County Schools Dr. Nancy Leonard previously said, “the spirit of the requirement is encouraging physical movement and exercise. So much emphasis has been placed on testing in the last few years, this is an acknowledgement that children need to have opportunities for physical activity during the day to be healthy.”

While the school requirement may not satisfy the complete CDC recommendations, it is certainly a start to get adolescents moving more

However, the debate concerning the absence of gyms at Bacon District Elementary and Phenix Elementary continue to pose possible limitations on students at those schools in the event of inclement weather.

We believe all children deserve to get adequate amounts of physical activity and at the same quality level. Several aspects of functionality combine to make a well-rounded person and we believe this new requirement is the first step to creating a healthier lifestyle starting with the youngest members of our society.

“Children need to play and have an opportunity to be physically active during the day,” said Leonard. “Making time in the day for children, allowing them to run and play is a good thing. This is a healthy and child friendly requirement.”

We agree and we hope a consensus can be reached regarding more avenues for physical activity at Bacon District Elementary and Phenix Elementary in the event of inclement weather.