Revere Middle School outlines PE schedule, cites space limits as demand grows

Revere Middle School Principal Dr. Oberhauser told the Revere Local Board of Education the school provides six daily periods of physical education across sixth, seventh and eighth grades, but the nine‑week, quartered schedule and high student interest are creating capacity and space challenges. “So basically, what we have every day is we have 6 periods of physical education,” he said in the Feb. 10 work session.

Oberhauser gave enrollment figures to illustrate demand: about 230 sixth graders (169 signed up for PE), 183 seventh graders (151 signed up) and 225 eighth graders (163 signed up). He also described an adapted‑PE section called “classmates” serving intensive‑needs students and noted roughly 14 students participate in that program.

Board members and staff pressed on logistics. Wresting mats and the current wrestling room reduce usable gym space when stacked; rolling them up still leaves large obstructions that can take half a gym out of use, presenters said. In addition, the district no longer has access to a second gym the middle school once used, limiting options for oversubscribed lunch‑time activities or indoor movement during inclement weather.

Administrators described interim and low‑cost ideas: staggered use of the gym and cafeteria, more outdoor classes when weather permits, occasional teacher‑led walking breaks, lunchtime tournaments, and repurposing underused library space for small‑group activity or yoga. Board members also suggested exploring whether eligible eighth graders could take some high‑school PE electives if scheduling allows; staff said they would review shared staffing and schedules to identify openings.

The presentation did not include a request for action; staff said these items were informational and that they would return with specifics if policy or budget changes were needed. The board thanked staff for the update and for brainstorming ways to expand movement opportunities while complying with class‑size and contract limits.