Lawmakers Look at Exercise Requirement for Iowa School Children

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Lawmakers Look at Exercise Requirement for Iowa School Children

By Scott Sanborn

DES MOINES (AP) - Iowa school children could be exercising
more and eating less junk food under a bill making its way in the
Legislature.

Under the measure, children would be required to get moving for
a-half hour each day and junk food would disappear from the vending
machines.

The proposal is aimed at curbing childhood obesity. It outlines
the minimum amount of time children must be physically active at
school, whether during physical education class or another time.
Recess likely won't count.

The bill also calls for nutrition guidelines that would govern
all foods outside the hot lunch line, including vending machines
and school stores.

It also requires students to be certified in CPR by the time
they graduate.

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Thursday, Mar 27 at 6:06 PM ken wrote ...

The problem isnt with the schools its with the kids.They dont all go home after school and get out to exercise they get on the computor or sit in front of the tv.If they went out side and played with friends or run arround you wouldnt be talking this trash.And its not all the kids fault either because I have seen kids running arround and there still heavy. Its motabulism ,we do have a weight problem that is for sure.But what do you expect when the kids sit arround all the time.

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Thursday, Mar 27 at 3:39 PM anon wrote ...

I think the state should fund the development of giant bubbles we can put the kids in during the day to keep them safe. Anybody of driving age can exit their bubble while driving but if your caught texting, riding with other people, or giving "weird looks" you should lose your driving privledges for 49 years and be confined to your bubble. Anybody caught prematurely exiting their bubble could have super nanny pay them a visit to straighten them out! Yes/No?

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Thursday, Mar 27 at 11:57 AM Samantha wrote ...

I think that it would be a good idea if they would give children more time in P.E. In high school they should not have vending machines because all people to is eat all day long. In High school you should have to participate in every gym class. I am a senior my self and there are alot of people out there that do not care about there health.

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Wednesday, Mar 26 at 9:18 PM ITS WAY PAST TIME wrote ...

for the legislature, via schools, to stop spending time, money, and other resources in an attempt to usurp the role of parents. Just STOP it.

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Wednesday, Mar 26 at 8:38 PM parent wrote ...

I agree with JC Teachers have enough to do. I also find it interesting about the CPR. Not a bad idea though. Lets get the teachers certified also.

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Wednesday, Mar 26 at 7:32 PM A Teacher wrote ...

I think our PE teachers do a great job and teach a variety of physical activities to stimulate our kids interest in being active. Yes, some activities are more challenging than others, but don't knock them until you try them! I would like the bill to go further and get rid of junk food vending altogether and require the 'hot lunch' program to serve far less processed foods than currently served. That varies greatly, but in our building we serve too much processed easy food, need more whole foods

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Wednesday, Mar 26 at 6:53 PM JC wrote ...

I love to hear the parents continue to tell the schools to do more for their kids. When does the responsibility fall back to parents? Get your kids away from the computer/tv and make them active at home. They already have guidelines on school lunches so I doubt they're getting overweight by going to school, it's the other 17 1/2 hours a day they are not in the school setting that needs to be addressed.

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Wednesday, Mar 26 at 5:52 PM Taxpayer wrote ...

To "Student" Education/Healthcare are NOT Free! Freedom in this country has a price and responsibility. As a young adult, the price of learning and being fit to take care of society for the next generation is yours. Start preparing for your future and stop complaining. Help your peers out and don't just think of yourself. Your decisions will be big enough when you assume the authority to pay for healthcare and education. Then talk about freedom.

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Wednesday, Mar 26 at 4:49 PM Educator wrote ...

The bill says students will EXERCISE 30 min. a day-NOT have PE. This would fall on the classroom teacher to institute into the children's regular classroom time. There are only 12-13 30 min. periods in a day for PE. It is impossible in a bldg with 20 classrooms to meet this as PE. What goes--reading, math or science? Is running in the room conducive to properly studying for a test? Think logically and fund appropriately.

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Wednesday, Mar 26 at 4:18 PM IA Mom wrote ...

This is a step in the right direction. It always frustrates me when my daughter comes home from school (1st grade) with stories of playing "cup stacking" in PE...what kind of exercise is that?! And she only has PE I believe twice a week to begin with, which in itself is a problem!

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Wednesday, Mar 26 at 3:53 PM Nancy wrote ...

I think its interesting that they are going to require school children to become CPR certified when it is not a requirement for teachers. At least in Iowa City, only coaches I believe have to have CPR certification.

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Wednesday, Mar 26 at 3:38 PM Father 36 to Student 18 wrote ...

As an 18-year-old adult, you can indeed choose what you eat. You can also bring what you like from home. The idea here is to not use schools to stuff 7 year olds with snack cakes before they are old enough to make the informed decisions you can make. I encourage my kids to eat healthy and this policy means their school environment will not undermine my parental guidance while they're still young.

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Wednesday, Mar 26 at 1:26 PM In response to GYM teacher wrote ...

Gym teachers are trying to show kids that exercise can be fun by teaching them through games and fun exercises so that it's something kids want to do when they grow up, instead of it being a chore or something they associate with being unfun. Good for lawmakers, doing something positive for our kids. I wouldn't be surprised if kids in school sports are allowed to count that time as their exercise time, decreasing the amount of kids to teach by quite a bit.

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Wednesday, Mar 26 at 12:37 PM Another Mom wrote ...

My daughter used to attend Vernon Middle School in Marion. I was shocked that she did not have PE 3 times a week year round, instead it was everyday for a trimester. Come on! The school she is in now has PE 3 days a week the entire school year, plus she is able to participate in basketball, volleyball and has also joined the track team. The school she attends now welcomes all students to their teams, being the "BEST" isn't the main focus... it's the love of the game they stress!

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Wednesday, Mar 26 at 10:13 AM Former GYM Student wrote ...

I am glad the state has recognized this problem,but requiring a half hour of exercise a day is not the answer. The schools need to look at the curriculum of their P.E classes. It is called PHYSICAL EDUCATION for a reason. It is not a class for dodgeball or square dancing. Properly teaching exercise and its effects on the body will last for a lifetime. So called GYM teachers have a responsibilty to teach our kids fitness,not just fun games. Exercise and physiology in a hands on setting.

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Wednesday, Mar 26 at 9:38 AM Rob wrote ...

I hope the lawmakers have a plan for funding this mandate.

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Wednesday, Mar 26 at 9:37 AM Student 18 hs wrote ...

Its pretty sad that an 18 year old student such as my self who is not over weight cant not make the choice formyself if i want to have a candy bar during my free time at school. Its a free country granted children in elementary schools shouldnt be eating all the candy they want thats WHY they dont have vending machines in elementary or middle schools. By the time you hit high school your old enough to mkae these decisions for yourself.

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Wednesday, Mar 26 at 8:53 AM Mom wrote ...

It is about time Iowa step up and discuss this important issue. I look forward to the changes in my kids' schools.

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