With over 1,600 schools and over one million students, New York City lays claim to having the largest public schooling system in the nation. It boasts a $21 billion annual budget and a robust workforce of 80,000 teachers. Yet with nearly 40% of students (kindergarten to eighth grade) being reported as obese or overweight in 2009, there is still an obvious lack of physical education at schools around the city.
Within a small turf-adorned playground in Stuyvesant Town/Peter Cooper Village, Erwan Saunier is working hard to alleviate the problem. He runs free soccer classes out of Playground 3 three days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday) for kids ages two to nine. The program starts in September and runs until mid-November, reemerging in the spring. “We pretty much play unless it’s freezing outside,” Saunier said. The classes last around an hour and consist of a light warm-up, some technical drills and finish with a fun scrimmage.
Retiring from professional soccer in France, Erwan moved to the United States in 1999, eventually settling down in Stuyvesant Town. “One day, I was kicking a ball around in Playground 10, my office, when a few kids came up to me and were curious about what I was doing. I told them I was playing soccer.” Erwan said. “They wanted to play so I went to the rec (recreation department) and asked them if I could set something up.” The program was operational only a short time later and has been running steadily since 2005, growing from a dozen or so kids to roughly seventy today; more than manageable for Erwan, who works for the Manhattan Kickers Soccer Club (which has around 700 members) and coaches his own travel team.
Erwan is largely responsible for the program’s popularity and success. “He is the best instructor,” says babysitter Angela Pared, who has using the service every week for the past two years. “He is really good with the kids.” While most of the adults on hand are babysitters, a few parents find the time to cheer their kids as they play. Alan McGrath is satisfied with the amount of time his kids get to run around at school. Nevertheless, he is still thrilled that he can get them out of the house. “It keeps them outdoors playing sports instead of watching TV or playing video games. I can’t stand them just sitting around inside,” he said. “It’s important for them to get out and play. They’re able to meet kids from other schools and make new friends as well.” He is also impressed with the way Erwan carries himself around the adolescent group and plans to come back once the program recommences in the spring.
The classes supplement a beleaguered physical education program that fails to meet national standards. According to their website, the New York City Department of Education mandates that elementary and middle school students receive a minimum of 1,000 minutes of physical education per week, just over two hours a day. However, many schools, especially those with younger kids, struggle to provide even close to this number. “My son’s at NEST+m and they only do an hour a week. They don’t cover enough when they’re younger.” Erwan said. Exercise is extremely important at such a critical stage of development.
According to a collaborative report by the Departments of Health and Education, students who were physically fit had a tendency to outscore their less-fit peers. Not only does exercise affect a child’s academic performance, it also strengthens their emotional well being. “They’ll be happier and in a better emotional state.” Said Dr. Tolete Rotor, a local pediatrician who’s been practicing in the neighborhood over twenty years. “Some kids are overscheduled. Exercising will make them better physically, emotionally, and socially. They will be well rounded.”
Numerous reasons exist as to why physical education continues to be an issue in the New York City school system. A lack of space, budget cuts and unqualified instructors are all factors. NYC Fitnessgram, a method created by the Cooper Institute of Aerobic Research, was installed in 2005 by the D.O.E. to combat the problem. A Fitnessgram report gives participating students feedback on their physical health and how to improve it. Fitnessgram individualizes assessments for each student, a unique feature in an environment of standardization.
Erwan’s goal is to introduce young kids to soccer and provide organized recreational play. “I want to teach them about the sport. Most kids play basketball, baseball, et cetera.” He said. It’s a good workout and lots of fun. It teaches them discipline. Sportsmanship is very important.” Even if they don’t end up falling in love with the sport as he did, Erwan still knows that they will take away something important. “The kids remember the friends they make. They remember the whole experience.”