Starting this academic year, health classes that were previously taken by seniors during either the first or second semester are now offered to sophomores enrolled in Regents Physics. The course meets twice a week and runs alongside physical education classes, which take place on the remaining two days of class per week. 

Since 2019, THHS shifted health to senior year due to physical education requirements. Delaying important health topics to senior year resulted in significant criticism. Though the new plan will not result in all sophomores taking health this year, it will begin to shift health class back to sophomore year.

Program Chair and Classical Language teacher Chris Amanna said, “We had always wanted to offer Health much earlier at Townsend Harris. Initially, the plan was to have one semester of Health and one semester of gym [in sophomore year].” However, the school was audited for this new plan, due to concerns regarding course credit and scheduling.

“We had to figure something out. Last year, if you had taken full semesters of gym, you were eligible to take a semester of health in your senior year,” he said. 

This year, for sophomores taking physics, their schedule includes two days of health and two days of gym every week. Physics labs are held during zero band, due to the way lab scheduling aligns with the school day and the fact that juniors taking physics do not have a free period available during bands one through nine for lab. 

According to Assistant Principal of STEM Abid Choudhury, there will always be an effort to offer at least one section of senior health in case students did not get to take the class earlier, meaning that sophomores who do not have a physics lab this year would take health during their senior year. Whether the class will be hybrid (virtual and in person) as some seniors could take this year, or fully in person, “remains to be seen.” 

“In case that doesn’t work out, when [the student] does come across physics or a non-lab science, we always do have the option to program [health] alongside [the science class] but the preference will tend towards retaining the section of senior health,” said Mr. Choudhury. 

“It’s a bit tricky,” Mr. Amanna said, “Especially because this year’s seniors and next year’s seniors will have to continue following the old system. We’re figuring it out though.”

The change for sophomores taking physics comes alongside the elimination of zero band for underclassmen currently enrolled in Regents Biology and Chemistry, which allows students to have a weekly study hall band, in addition to a weekly lab that would have previously taken place during zero band. Students then take physical education during the remaining two days of class.

Health teachers that spoke to The Classic shared how they were largely in support of the change, citing practical applications of the knowledge that students learn in class. 

“I really like this new change. I think it’s a great course for our sophomores to have,” said Physical Education and Health teacher Gabriela Pedreros.. “It’s amazing that it’s twice a week throughout the year. It allows time to integrate those lessons into their lives and into lifelong learning.”

Physical Education and Health teacher Matthew Lemnczyk also expressed his support for the change. “…I personally think anytime health education is done, students are able to take from those lessons and improve their life,” he said. “It’s one of the most valuable classes in this school because every student can take something from it and positively impact their lives, physically, socially, mentally, and emotionally.”

Sophomores taking health shared a similar sentiment, generally saying that being able to take the class earlier allowed for more practical applications. 

“It’s best to take it early to gain awareness and apply it to your life,” said sophomore Vivienne Chen.t “[Health class] can also act as a slight break from rigorous academics. It depends on the student’s schedule and priorities.”

Sophomore Naomi Vender-Wilson, who is also taking health, said, “I think it’s really helpful to take Health as an underclassman because you get that important information earlier instead of waiting until senior year. The only trade-off is having just two days of gym instead of more, but I don’t feel like that’s a good or bad thing.”

Some sophomores, however, are not part of the new program. Julia Pavone, a sophomore in Chemistry, shared her thoughts on not taking the health course:

“I suppose I’m not getting the education on health that my peers are getting,” she said. “I’m a little bummed that I don’t get to take the tests and really learn about the human body and my physical and mental state. But it’s okay, because I can’t fit it into my schedule [anyways].”

Julia adds that she makes use of her free band to study and finish any outstanding assignments. “I usually spend this time in the library.” she said.

Vivienne also noted how health has added to her workload. “It takes more time because I have to dedicate effort for a grade,” she said. “Originally, I thought it would just be an educational class with no major assessments, but it turns out to be more rigorous than I expected.” 

Senior Mark Mbogho acknowledged that he sees the benefits of sophomores taking health earlier, but that he personally is not bothered by taking the class in senior year. “I think sophomores taking health could be good because they are able to get it out of the way,” he said. “Personally, I don’t mind taking health senior year because I feel like we are a bit more mature and can relate to the material a bit more but taking it early is good too.” 

Ms. Pedreros also said that teaching health to sophomores instead of seniors this year has been an adjustment. 

“It was a pleasure to teach the senior classes…and that’s still going on to an extent,” she said. “[But] I also love teaching the 10th graders. You know, it’s an adjustment, but it’s also, again, a different stage of our learning path. And more than anything, our students are just always geared and ready and they show up and they value the lessons that we have.”

 “My goal as a health educator is for my students to be better versions of themselves when they leave that course,” said health and physical education teacher Matthew Lemanczyk.