Emily Fleming  I have learned that all good things must come to an end. Starting next year, Independent Studies (ISPs) will no longer be accepted as gym credits. You must be thinking, this can not be happening. It’s okay; the first stage of grief/loss is denial. However, I am on stage 5— acceptance— and I have been doing a bit of reminiscing. Long gone are the days of casually strolling to yoga, green juice in hand, secure in the fact that I can chill and do some light stretching for an hour and still get gym credits. I’ll miss the tough workout days just as much though, and I have my ISP to thank because the workout requirement per week was often my only motivation. Also, my heart sinks when I realize I no longer have an excuse for getting my parents to pay for my myriad overpriced workout classes (Soulcycle, Barre, Pilates, Corepower, Shred, need I go on?). So why are ISPs no longer being accepted? Will the gym credit requirements change? I asked Mr. Cameron, who works in the Physical Education Department, to shed some light on their decision. “Starting with the 2017-18 school year, students in grades 9-12th will be required to complete two credits (eight quarters) of PE, which has been reduced from three credits (twelve quarters).” Four of those quarters are automatically filled by the mandatory freshman Wellness classes, so only four quarters of actual physical activity is required. However, for those four quarters, the only options now are a) participate in a team sport at Latin, which I highly recommend because Latin sports are A-1, or b) take a gym class during the day, which has its perks because it’s a break from schoolwork. If you are one of those people that can actually change in five minutes and pull off the whole sweaty-but-cute look, take a gym class. Trust me, few people have your talents. As for why ISPs are no longer being accepted, Mr. Cameron listed many reasons backing up the Phys. Ed Department’s decision. “Historically, students have abused the liberty to participate in outside ‘activity’ as it pertains to the requirement.” Touché Mr. Cameron. I must admit there have been times when I have gone to the gym only to stretch my legs, do 15 crunches, and then buy a strawberry protein shake on my way out. However, I can honestly say that I did a hard workout 80% of the time, didn’t skimp on the requirements, and enjoyed (almost) every minute of it. Thus, I feel like ISPs need a proper goodbye, as it is truly the end of an era. But don’t worry, there are still many opportunities for exercise, less gym credits to worry about, and your bank account is probably thanking the Latin Phys. Ed Department right now.]]>