McCallion
Quest

By:  Allie Fotopoulos

Each year at Hazel McCallion, in Phys. Ed class, every student is forced to perform the 1km run. The second gym class of the year is when the first of these heinous tests takes place. The group of anxious, nervous and physically unprepared students line up and dread the moment when the teacher will blow their whistle. Once the whistle is blown, they take off, like rats on a sinking ship. The strong and powerfully trained excel away from the group, but the rest linger and lag behind like the wounded. After the last of the now exhausted and pained students cross the finish line, and after the long minutes of rest and recovery pass, the thought that crosses the mind of every student is “thank God that’s over!”

These tests are completely unnecessary and are sprung upon students without any preparation. For two whole months, about two thirds of the school population has just been sitting on the couch watching T.V. and eating junky, sugary foods. Do the Phys. Ed teachers really believe that after summer holidays, every student will be prepared to run 1km and do well? Well sure they’ll say that’s what the practice run is for, but after that one practice run, students aren’t taught any more about fitness and are no more prepared than before. The students should work up to the 1km run. The teachers should start students off with fitness drills and exercises, and after every one loses their “summer mode” mentality, the running can begin. Really, it is like any other subject. English teachers don’t give students a topic and then tell students to write an essay about it; they explain first the purpose of an essay, the techniques of writing, and work their way up to  the task of writing. In Science class, the science teacher doesn’t give us a microscope and tell us to conduct an experiment. Why should gym be any different?  

In addition to the students being unprepared, these tests are unfair to students who are more overweight than others. They have an unfair disadvantage already by being unprepared physically, but when you are heavy as well, it is much more difficult to run. These students need more aid and help, as would anyone lacking the necessary skills. There is ESL for students who need it; maybe there should be something that benefits children that are more overweight and aren’t fit. If anything, teachers should take into consideration the circumstances under which certain students are running. Add to that the embarrassment these students feel when they come last. Other children begin to tease and make fun of them. “Children who are bullied experience real suffering that can interfere with their social and emotional development, as well as their school performance. Some victims of bullying have even attempted suicide rather than continue to endure such harassment and punishment”, says the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. (AACAP) So, should we risk the quality of the lives around us or even contribute to already existing problem of bullying? 

The 1km run tests do not demonstrate one’s physical capability in a way that relates to all students and if it is to continue, there should be a lot more preparation involved for students to build up their endurance. It is a dreaded event among all students and for future years to come, there should be serious consideration as to how it should be carried out. The 1km run doesn’t have to be a bad thing; it can be a chance for the overweight, the less physically talented and the superstars to improve their fitness and become better at running. The 1km run can be turned into an opportunity for gym teachers to show students how training, hard work and dedication really do pay off in the long run.