Equipment a good start; now bring back daily PE in NC

Here's a great post from one of our advocates!

Regarding the story, “Area schools eligible to apply for funding for PE equipment,” (AC-T, Oct. 13): I’m pleased to learn that Asheville area schools may soon get new equipment for physical education classes.

The latest statistics about childhood obesity are very alarming, and we need to be doing more to help kids be fit and healthy. Health experts say that children need quality physical education every day — at least 30 minutes a day for younger children and 45 minutes per day for high school students. But 62 percent of North Carolina students attend physical education classes only two days per week — or less. Meanwhile, our state has the 14th-highest childhood obesity rate in the nation. Having PE equipment won’t do any good if we don’t use it.

I appreciate Asheville school officials for trying to improve physical education. Now let’s hope they — along with state legislators — follow through and bring daily PE back to North Carolina schools.

Lee Storrow, Asheville