Aurora East committee reviews revised 0-hour PE course to include fitness data tracking

Curriculum staff described a revision to East Aurora High School’s existing 0-hour physical education offering that will emphasize student choice and a data-analysis component using existing heart monitors.

Dr. Amy Engle introduced the item and asked Principal Jennifer Mitchell and Mr. Delamar — identified in the meeting as the division chair over PE, health and driver’s education — to present details. Mr. Delamar said the course will follow the same curriculum as other PE classes but be labeled to indicate it is offered during 0 hour. “We wanted the naming to be a little bit different so that students are aware that this is available during 0 hour,” he said.

Delamar said students will attend on-site two days per week and on other days will choose workouts and log data from heart monitors; teachers will provide examples and track students’ heart-rate data and submitted logs. The change is intended to teach personal responsibility and help juniors and seniors transition to independently managing fitness outside of a team sport. Delamar said there will be no additional cost for the revision because the school already owns the heart monitors.

Committee members asked practical questions, including whether team practice counts for the class when heart-monitor data are logged at other times; staff indicated that such participation could count if data are recorded. The committee did not record a vote; presenters characterized the item as a course revision rather than a new course and answered questions from committee members.