Join Us in Supporting PE for Chicago’s Students!

September 18, 2013 | Written By: Healthy Schools Campaign

Support daily PE for all!

Illinois is one of the few states to mandate daily physical education (PE). Research clearly shows that healthy students learn better. Studies also indicate the immediate power of physical activity to improve cognition, concentration, classroom behavior and memory.  Yet, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students receive far fewer PE hours than are required by the state and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. PE, a class that teaches lifelong healthy habits, is limited to about once a week in most CPS schools. This issue is particularly critical because 43 percent of CPS students are considered overweight or obese. For the first time in our nation’s history, young people may have shorter lifespans and live less-healthy lives than their parents.

But change is possible. With daily PE on the docket, students would be more focused and ready to learn while building healthy habits to last a lifetime.

Next month, CPS will examine the issue of PE in our schools. This is an opportunity for you to raise your voice to help make physical activity and physical education priorities for Chicago schools. We are urging the Board of Education to establish the goal of providing all CPS students with access to high-quality daily PE with a focus on promoting lifelong health. This includes making policy changes to ensure more students are participating in PE and taking steps to ensure schools have the space, time and resources to implement a quality PE program.

We believe the Board of Education must adopt a comprehensive strategic plan to implement daily PE, an important initiative to promote health and learning. And we invite you to join us in taking action to support healthy, active students across Chicago. Want to help? Here’s how:

• Add your name and message of support to our petition to the CPS Board of Education, which we will present to the Board on October 24th. 

• Spread the word! Download and print copies of this petition [PDF]  to share at community meetings and events (in English and/or Spanish).

• Share the petition over Facebook and Twitter and tell the world why you support PE for all CPS students!

Thank you for supporting our efforts to help ensure quality, daily PE for all CPS students.

Check the HSC blog for updates on HSC’s PE advocacy work and to find out more ways you can get involved and raise your voice!