Many schools cutting back on physical education

There was a time when after-school activities meant riding bikes, shooting hoops in the backyard or even a neighborhood game of hide-and-seek that went on until dusk.

In today’s complex world, “after-school activities” is almost a loaded term, more about organizing the fun as opposed to the spontaneous exercise of past generations. It needs, for example, to fit into the busy family schedule; it needs to be in a place that’s safe and supervised by adults, or even make up for all those hours the kids have spent in front of the TV playing video games.

Ironically, we are more aware than ever of the importance of exercise for children in promoting everything from long-term health to improving academic performance, but at the same time the world has made it tougher to get Johnny or Susie outside to play.

Many schools cutting back on physical education