In the beginning of December, red-faced, teary-eyed students were still going outside for Physical Education each day. With temperatures around 32 degrees more and more students began to complain about going to gym class.

Sophomore Marc Schlecht doesn’t appreciate the cold weather, He feels, “I think it starts to get too cold in November.” Although Bryce Phillips loves going outside for gym, he added, “If I bring a jacket, I always wear it outside.”

Kelsey D’Aries would like to stay inside for gym. “If we could stay inside I would love to play basketball,” she said. Alex Kravitz agrees, “We should stay inside and play OB-ball.”

No law exists for when to keep students inside for gym based on the weather. According to USA today reported, “There is no national temperature standard to keep kids inside during the winter months. The U.S. Department of Education says that the decision should be made by the principal of the school.”

Mrs. Peters, Physical Education teacher explains, “There is no specific temperature that is too cold to go outside. Many students think the cold weather makes you sick, this is a myth. Viruses cause the flu and common cold, not the temperature. People get sick more often in the winter because they are exposed to each other more in the winter than in the summer. When it is cold outside, people tend to stay inside and are more likely to spread germs to one another. Also, because school is in session, kids are around each other all day and are not afraid to share their germs. With so many people in such close contact, the likelihood of passing germs is much higher when it is cold outside than when it is warm and people are outdoors. It may be that cold weather keeps people indoors, where germs are more likely to catch up with you.”

Even though it is chilly, students can take the initiative to stay warm. “When we go outside for gym I usually wear sweatpants and a sweatshirt to prevent myself from being too cold,” said Kelsey. Bryce added that he wears two layers outside so he isn’t freezing.

If your feeling that you’re coming down with a cold or sickness, chances are it isn’t from spending time outside. So layer up and have fun during your gym period!