question about MD PE/Athletic school programs? (Baltimore, Cumberland: credit, how much)

[cowtown2]

There is a strong possibility my family will be relocating from Texas to Maryland. In Texas PE and athletic programs are huge. I am an educator and a good education is very very important to me, but why does Maryland schools not have what I consider a productive PE time for the students and no athletic programs at the JR High level? Our children (in Texas) not only have 20 minute recess during the day, but they attend a 45 minute PE time where they not only learn about health, but they play games/sports (elementary). Jr. High has 50 minutes of either PE or athletics. Children obesity is at a all time high, just don't understand how 20 min of PE does anything for a child, and it seemed like most of PE was actually a health class (based on what I looked at online) and not a time for students to be active. My boys play jr. high sports like basketball, football, golf, baseball, and track. But it seems none of those are even touched upon in the public schools, only High School. Just wondering, could any one help answer this question?

[AlicynD]

I think the athletic and PE programs really vary from county school system to county school system. I know in Howard we do not have JR High athletic programs but there are plenty of organizations in the community that kids from pre-K/Kindergarten - high school can participate in...tee ball, baseball, softball, lacrosse, track, golf, hockey, football, swimming, etc.

[North Beach Person]

Short answer: money.

This is nothing new, most Counties (schools are County based) got rid of Jr. High/Middle School interscholastic athletics a couple decades ago. As AlicynD mentioned, the gap has been partially filled by community organizations. Some systems have intramural programs.

MD State Department of Education sets the requirements for graduation credits. Currently a student has to have one semester of PE and one semester of Health Education in High School to graduate. Most systems schedule that in 9th grade to get it out of the way. Some have the classes on alternate days for a full year and some semesterize them.

The requirement for PE used to be a full year, that changed to just one semester about 10 years ago.

[cowtown2]

Thanks so much, as in most schools here in Texas we are struggeling with money to fund our schools so I understand that part. I didn't know if it was money, weather releated issues, etc. I am glad to know there are community activities out there. I am trying to keep this move as much of a culture shock as I can, and since my boys are both very athletic that is one thing we told them wouldn't change. I will have to do research into area youth sporting activities. Thanks!

[Kensington]

Montgomery County middle schools have athletic programs (I don't know how much it varies school to school). I am from Texas and athletic programs are big there. It is not the same here, but there are lots of private sports leagues if your middle school does not have a strong athletic program. There are also some private schools with strong programs as well.

[cowtown2]

thanks so much, I would love to do the private school thing, but I am just overwhelmed by the cost of living difference. I don't see how people pay the home prices, taxes, and still pay for a private school. Is there something I don't know about and should?

[westsideboy]

If you want the premier youth sports programs per capita in the state, come out to Cumberland. Our High School football, basketball, and some girls teams are among the best in the state every year (for schools of our size.) In football Allegany and Fort Hill routinely whip up on 3A and 4A schools. If it wasn't for Dunbar (a magnet school in Baltimore for athletes that keep their enrollment low on purpose) the two Cumberland schools would have won 3 of the last 4 state titles

In a town of 20,000, Cumberland has a 8,000 person football stadium. Nearly all of the 6,000 actual seats are filled each weekend (the overflow sits on the hill.) We take it seriously from the age of 6 on up.

[tonyc]

Sports Programs (http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rectmpl.asp?url=/content/rec/sport.asp - broken link)

MCSL Homepage

Welcome to the MSWA

Montgomery Youth Hockey Association Hockey Website Software By GOALLINE.ca

[cowtown2]

Thanks Westsideboy, sounds like our kind of town. I wish it were closer to my husbands work in Hanover MD, to far to drive.

[sandkrab]

I noticed you were also asking about Sykesville. Here are some sites that might help:
Sykesville Raiders Football and Cheerleading
http://www.freedomarearec.com
Freedom Area Basketball League

Please feel free to message/e-mail me with any questions. I know this town like the back of my hand and really do think you would love it here (most people do) once you get the feel of the place. ;o)