How often do you hear about all of the gym class options? Most people pick the safe choice, such as “Team Sports” when it comes to their Junior year course selections, but have you ever thought of giving “Partners in PhysEd” a shot?
Countless students every year pick the most common gym class. It may be because their friends are doing it, or because they like gym teacher Mrs. Meghan Martin, or because they just don’t care which gym class they choose. But did you know there are other options, ones that will look better on resumes for colleges, and make you create new friendships and bonds with those you may not expect? This past semester, 1 in every 20 juniors chose to partake in Partners in Physical Education. What opportunities are others missing by not taking the chance to indulge in an inclusive and meaningful class?
“I love partners in gym,” said Senior Josh Sauris. “It’s so chill, and I get to see my friends. It’s probably the best
gym class I’ve taken.”
In this class you’ll see students, such as Sauris, a regular education student, teaching junior special education and TLC (Triton Learning Center) student Oscar Gonzales how to play speedball. Sauris took the time to help engage Gonzales in the game, by teaching him how to play and giving him support throughout the rounds.
Other students will be buddied up, cheering on one another as they all play together in class activities. It’s a wholesome and welcoming environment, making everyone feel loved and involved.
According to statistics from our current 2024-2025 school year, only six juniors out of 142 opted into semesters one and two Partners in Physical Education. This does not include Seniors taking part, which ended up being two out of 141 seniors for semester one, and seven out of 141 seniors for semester two.
This leaves our rough estimate to only be 14 students taking this class each semester. This class deserves more love. After starting in 2021, its enrollment numbers have been steady. On the school’s course selection program of studies, the class information is outlined as follows:
“This course is designed for juniors and seniors who are interested in working in an Adaptive Physical Education Class. The students will help facilitate a variety of lifetime activities including: bocce, croquet, and ladder golf, in addition to a variety of gym games and activities. Students will also work toward encouraging and developing fair play, and cooperative effort and participation.”
This class benefits all who take part in it, creating long-lasting friendships, students in the class said. You’ll often find those who are friends in Partners in Physed eating lunch together, walking the halls together, and more. TLC teacher Krista Maurer shares just how important this class is for her students.
“Our students enjoy the company of the other students within the high school,” said Maurer. “I know that only Juniors and Seniors are allowed to take part in the Partners in gym and partners in theater, and those Juniors and Seniors have been excellent leaders and friends to our students and TLC.”
Just last year our newest combined class launched. Partners in theater has been the most recent addition to our inclusive electives. The class is offered to all high school students, with no prerequisites needed. This is how the course is described in the Program of Studies as follows:
“Partners in Theatre is a unique opportunity for neurotypical students to come together with neurodivergent students through ongoing theatre activities related to performing and behind the scenes. Through these activities, students will create original pieces of theatre, scripted performances, and apply technical elements to multiple theatrical productions. Additionally, the class supports the development of leadership skills for all students as well as the empowerment of ALL students to foster an inclusive school-wide environment. No theatrical experience necessary.”
Although this class is offered to all students, many don’t partake in it. For the full-year option for the 2024-2025 school year only one sophomore out of 120 chose to take it, and two seniors out of 141 chose it as their elective. This is an extremely low
statistic compared to other elective enrollment numbers.
Sophomore Lucie Remignati is currently enrolled in Partners in PhysEd, and typically partners with the same student each time. Over time, they’ve created a friendship and have watched each other grow in all aspects.
“I like to pass him the ball,” said Remignati, “and see him get really into the games and do his best. When everyone cheers for him he gets really excited and it’s really sweet.”
Choosing our courses for next year is right around the corner, so the question remains: Will you make a difference and be a partner?
