Is a gym a classroom?

Absolutely, a gym is a classroom! The Nebraska Department of Education requires a comprehensive school physical activity program for promoting student health and well-being. This is an academic subject from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade.

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By prioritizing physical education and implementing a comprehensive program, schools can help students develop healthy habits, improve their overall fitness, and enhance their academic performance.

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Regular physical activity can help students improve their physical fitness, boost their mood, and even enhance their academic performance.

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Our gym  is not only a classroom for physical education, but it also serves as our auditorium, community events center, school events center and recess space during bad weather. 

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How will a Gym help our overcrowding?

Here's why an additional gym for Palmer Public Schools is an essential part of the bond project:

• Enhanced Safety: Additional locker rooms provide more space for student-athletes of all ages, but more importantly, will provide a storm shelter that is accessible to all students and staff.

• Alleviates Overcrowding: With 12 different grade levels vying for PE class time, scheduling classes can be difficult.  

• More Instructional Time: Students miss class because home game times have to be stacked and start during the school day. Later game start times will reduce missed instructional time for students. Later start times will also allow many parents a better opportunity to attend events.

• Family-Friendly: Additional gym space for practice and games gets kids home at a more reasonable time for family dinners and evening events. Regular family meals are priceless emotionally, and are also associated with lower rates of depression, anxiety, substance abuse, eating disorders, tobacco use, early teenage pregnancy, and higher rates of resilience and higher self-esteem, all of which impact mental health. Two varsity-sized gym spaces will allow after-school practices to happen simultaneously, so students aren't practicing during what has traditionally been reserved for family time.

• Expanded Opportunities: The ability to host additional activities can boost the local economy, with increased teams and spectators coming to our town. While they are here, we can expect some to make purchases and infuse additional tax dollars from outside our community.  

• Community Hub: Our new gym provides an additional space for community events, like blood drives

• Improved Conditions: Air conditioning ensures safe indoor temperatures for fall athletes, unlike our current gym, which is only heated. Temperatures get extremely hot in the gym.