The 2023-2024 school year comes with many new things in store. New classes, new teachers and new changes to PE. These changes are to the dress code, PM fitness and the Alternate Athletic Credit (AAC) requirement guidelines.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, students had to follow a dress code in their PE classes. Since the pandemic, the dress code has been suspended. This year, the dress code is being reinstated. The new dress code is not as strict as it was in the pre-COVID years; for example, Fieldston-branded apparel is not required. The dress code for PE this year is simple: sneakers and athletic attire. Sneakers are the most important part of the dress code. Wearing Crocs, boots or slides makes participation difficult and potentially injurious to the wearer. Athletic attire consists of clothing that allows for free movement: leggings, joggers, sweatpants, sweatshirts, shorts and t-shirts. Jeans and jean shorts are not permitted. Also, all jewelry must be removed.
The dress code’s main purpose is to ensure student safety: soccer and stilettos don’t mix. It is to make sure that students are comfortable while participating in the activities. The dress code also maintains a high level of hygiene. Coming to class unprepared would result in sitting that class out and not receiving credit for that day. Coach John Dwinell, the PE department chair, said, “I want to see students prepared to put the best effort forth. I would never go into a class unprepared. Not just a PE class, any class.”
Another change to the PE program, PM Fitness is available to students who do not have PE on their schedule. It is no longer available to those who have PE on their schedule because the fitness room will be included in the PE curriculum, and there is limited space in the room as well.
For AAC there are a handful of guidelines. There are only 40-45 students allowed to do AAC per season, so, to qualify for AAC you must fill out an application with a personal statement. Your coach outside of school must confirm the amount of time you are training with them. You have to do a total of nine hours per week with some aspects of competition. You must also fill out a weekly log. If the sport you are playing has a Fieldston team you only qualify for AAC during the off-seasons. For example, volleyball only qualifies for AAC in winter and spring because it is an official fall sport.
The changes made to PE for this school year were made in the student’s best interest, according to the faculty. Dwinell said, “I want the students to enjoy coming to PE. Ever since I took over I just feel COVID separated a lot of things, a lot of the interaction. But now that we’re back I want students to feel engaged. No matter what you want to do, I want students to enjoy it.”
