My son came home from school yesterday fuming that they had announced in PE that the much loved and anticipated (it usually takes place in February, I think) roller blading unit has been scrapped. I guess the kids were told that "the administration" (I don't know if that refers to the Principal or the School Board) wanted helmets worn. Since this would be a health concern (can you say "head lice"?), the decision was made to just cancel something that has been one of the highlights of the school year for over 10 years.

Do they wear helmets when they climb that wall, will that be next? I will ask my 7th grader when he gets home about the roller blading?

that's a shame!
My first 2 kids loved that unit!!!

Didn't we already pay for this with our registration? I know it was only about 5 dollars, but still.

i think the $5 was for this

yes, we paid for it. $5 x 1,200 kids is a lot of money. I'm sure every kid has a bike helmet and I'm sure if they told kids they can't rollerblade unless they wear one, the kids would bring them to school to do so. Hopefully they will work something out. Otherwise, I am asking what they are doing with the money. I'm not shy, in case y'all haven't noticed.

I'm sort of friends with the Hadley PTA president, I will be seeing her at a neighborhood Octoberfest on Sat. I will ask her what she knows. The kids really liked the roller blading, wasn't it right after they did the dance section.

I also remember that the 6th graders last year went roller skating for the end of the year thing, at Lombard Roller Rink. They were not told to bring helmets. It has to be an insurance thing.

My 6th grader has not mentioned this yet. She does not like skating so I am sure that she will be doing a happy dance. I will be asking for my money back too.

Just got back from picking up my 7th grader and another 8th grader from football practice and they had not heard it was cancelled.

I think the real health concern with having kids roller blading in the gyms is a brain injury. I have seen another school in the area that does a roller blade unit and the kids are required to wear helmets and padding. Why would we want to risk any kid sustaining an injury? It has really put some parents in a quandry -- hold your kid out of the program, send him/her with a helmet (and have that kid be the only one wearing one) or go against your better judgment and let them participate and hope to God nothing happens. I agree with you, Amy, all kids could bring a helmet. I, too, will be looking for a refund if the program goes away.

You know, the more I think about this, the more I agree that the kids really SHOULD wear helmets - and perhaps other padding (at least wrist guards as those are some of the most serious and frequent injuries after the head). I am constantly suprised by how few parents make their kids wear helmets when they bike, rollerblade, skateboard, etc. I KNOW the kids don't think it's cool....but being married to an ER doc, I hear the stories....well, you get the point.

My kid doesn't seem to give a rat's butt. Either that or he just doesn't tell me about the pain he feels. Or...he just may not know.

Like Santa Claus...I'm going to let him find out on his own.

quote:

Originally posted by Amy:
I'm sure every kid has a bike helmet and I'm sure if they told kids they can't rollerblade unless they wear one

Be careful with broad statements. Not every kid has a helmet. For financial reasons, some families have selected to spend their money on other items.

Blasphemy, HIGE. This is Glen Ellyn. This is Du Page county!

Why can't they purchase a few helmets for the kiddies? C'mon, they spent God knows how much for that shed to house a snow blower and lawnmower. Kids wear each others batting helmets all the time, and I haven't heard of any cases of head lice. And...well, if that's much of a concern can't they just spray the helmets with a mister, kinda like bowling shoes?

quote:

Originally posted by HalfinGlenEllyn:

quote:

Originally posted by Amy:
I'm sure every kid has a bike helmet and I'm sure if they told kids they can't rollerblade unless they wear one

Be careful with broad statements. Not every kid has a helmet. For financial reasons, some families have selected to spend their money on other items.

And CDH as a free helmet program. My friend goes into schools and gives whole classes bike helmets through a grant-funded program. So, there is really no reason why a kid shouldn't have a bike helmet if they have gone to D41 schools. I'd bet the school could probably contact CDH and see about getting some donated for the kids who qualify for free lunch that say they don't have one....