Opinion

Opinion Roundup: reduced physical education schedules makes room for a return to sophomore health, fewer zero band labs

Amaya De Lorenzo, Opinion Roundup Manager • October 26, 2025

Students play volleyball in the gym

This year, THHS introduced a new physical education schedule, reducing physical education classes from four days a week to two for certain courses. The changes come as part of a broader scheduling adjustment that adds a dedicated science lab and study hall band after the removal of zero band for freshmen and sophomores taking biology and chemistry Regents courses. Sophomores who have already completed the biology and chemistry Regents will still have a zero band lab class but will take physical education twice a week and then health for the remaining two days. This will ensure that health returns to sophomore year after being moved to senior year just before the pandemic.

As students adjust to these changes, The Classic interviewed them about their thoughts and concerns towards the new physical education schedule.

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“I have [physical education] class two times a week this year. I think my [physical education] schedule this year, compared to the freshmen’s [physical education] schedule last year, is much better for me mentally and physically. Additionally, I don’t really care whether or not I have a free band once a week or [physical education] class every day because I do most of my homework at home, and I am able to be active at [my] cross country practice every day after school anyways. I think that high schoolers taking health classes earlier on in their education is definitely important, as health class can teach us how to react to situations if anything happens to our health.”

— Freshman Zhuomian Liang

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“I think that having [physical education] class less often will probably make it harder for me to stay in shape. It also helps me wake up to start my day, so having it less often could cause fatigue or hurt my mental health. Though, so far, I’m not feeling any of those effects. In the extra bands, I have chemistry lab and a free band. I personally enjoy them more, and I put them to good use. I prefer the new [physical education] schedule for multiple reasons. First of all, I get to have a study period, and I don’t have to do zero band. Also, even though I’m not in health class this year, I think it is good that we’re taking it earlier on. As high schoolers, we’re probably going to encounter situations that we need to be prepared for and be informed about. Taking health class is a lot more useful earlier than it would be at the end of our time at Townsend Harris.”

— Sophomore Siomara Baluarte

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“This year, I have a double band [physical education class] every Tuesday and Thursday that begins during zero band. It’s different from last year because I used to have it every day for one band. Having [physical education] less often allows me to stay active outside of school. It also allows me to be able to work on academic subjects during my free band. Mentally, [physical education] gave me a break from sitting in class, so not having it as much might make the school day feel longer and more tiring. Although I enjoy breaks from my regular classes, I do think it would’ve been useful if they made this change in schedule when I was a sophomore because allowing us to take health class earlier on would have given us more information on how to better our health. It is important to take health courses earlier in high school because that is when students start getting more stress and responsibilities.”

— Junior Morgan Laminta

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“I take [double band] QC Sports twice a week on Wednesdays and Fridays. Last year, I participated in Invasion Sports for 4 days a week. With QC Sports, we have the option to choose our own activities, and it’s refreshing to walk back to school after being active, especially with the breeze. I believe having [physical education] less often will give me the chance to work on building better sleeping habits, which I think is especially important for seniors during college application season. Personally, I find that when [physical education] is scheduled in the middle of my classes, it breaks my concentration and makes it harder to stay productive. Further, the new implementation of health classes for sophomores is a great idea for students trying to gain their credits faster. However, I’m not upset that it wasn’t introduced during my sophomore year because I wanted to focus more on my core classes during sophomore year. Overall, I believe it’s important for high school students to take health class earlier in their education because while health class is fairly simple, it also provides very useful information and learning it sooner can even help students explore future goals and careers.”

— Senior Najibah Ziyan

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“Personally, I believe the school is looking out for the best interest of all students through the changes in [the physical education] schedule. Physical, mental, and social health are very important aspects in everyone’s life. Decreasing the number of times students meet for PE may impact their physical health to some degree but matching it up with health education will enhance mental and social health. As a result, I do think that having the combination of Health and PE at the same time is very beneficial to our 10th grade students. I am not sure whether this year’s [physical education] schedule is better or worse than last year’s schedule, but I do think that this schedule will eventually feel like the norm. I also think health education can be invaluable at any time in someone’s life. Health education is an excellent time to self-reflect and learn to become a better version of yourself.”

— Physical Education Teacher Matthew Lemanczyk

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About the Contributor

Tabassum Ahmed, Photography Editor

Tabassum is a junior at Townsend Harris High School.