For many students, doing P.E. is a love hate relationship. Some like the activeness and freedom being outside gives while some struggle with having the skills and participating in sports. But this year a special group of students are getting the chance to try and decide for themselves. 

P.E. teacher Lindsay Havers’ second period freshman class has a new addition of four students from a special needs class. As a collaboration with Special Education teacher Mary Whitford, it’s a way for these students to feel more included and experience the same education that most students have.

“They should be out and present and enjoy all the things everyone else enjoys. It’s good for everybody, all students, to see.” Whitford said on the importance of this change.

Havers’ goal for the class is interaction and collaboration among the students. “I know that’s going to take some time and routine for them to become more comfortable, but that’s my goal for them to feel included and the students see them as another student than integrated.”

On the topic of her students, Whitford’s enthusiasm and care became clear. “They’re just like any other people and individuals, they have things they love, they don’t like, I love their sassy little personalities. I love everything about them.”

But naturally with care comes concern. “Its always a little concern to how students will handle a new environment. It’s a big transition for them but these students are very social and Coach Havers and I talked beforehand and sort of set up a routine. She’s very wonderful and open minded and we were able to set up some expectations.”

And just like any other student the relationship between doing P.E. isn’t one way or another. “For instance one of them told me that they hate P.E. but I get that from my other students as well so they all have that common goal of hating being active. But I do have two of them that love it.” Havers said.

Chris Avila, one of Whitford’s students, said he enjoys doing P.E. and when he first started the class it felt good to be in a new environment with new students outside of his class.

“Some of them enjoy it because they get to come outside and be active and in their other class they’re around the same 12 students all day where this is a larger area where they can meet other people and not just be in the same room all day.” Havers said while recounting on her class and what students tell her.

Whitford said her goal for her students is “I want them to have lots of fun. I want them to meet new people and have new experiences that’s outside of our little world. I want them to become stronger and faster and more athletic and just have all the experiences that any kid would have in P.E.”