My name is Paul Zientarski and I preceded Mr. Duncan as the Physical Education Instructional Coordinator. I’ve been asked by the Physical Education department to write a letter to Central Times about the importance of four years of PE. So here goes.

In 2003 we had a brain researcher from Harvard visit our district because he had heard about our program that has been recognized across the country as one of the most outstanding programs in the country. He started me on a journey of understanding how exercise affects the brain. He started by telling me that we only build new brain cells through aerobic exercise and not with new learning. However once those brain cells are created new learning will enhance them and make new connections with other brain cells. So a combination of exercise and learning is how the brain functions and grows and stays healthy. Besides creating new brain cells exercise releases chemicals in our brain that help us feel better, combat stress, reduces fidgetiness, enhances memory, and makes us more alert.  That is the value that PE brings to you as students at NCHS. The Harvard brain researcher even wrote a book about the value of exercise and the brain titled “Spark” by Dr. John Ratey. Throughout the book Dr. Ratey mentions his observations of the physical Education program during his visit to NCHS. You can see him lecture on several You Tube videos mentioning NCHS.

We have had visitors from all over the United States and many foreign countries. They have come to see first-hand the program that has been recognized. The countries that have sent visitors to observe the Physical Ed program are So Korea, Denmark, Finland, China, Japan, Sweden, Germany, Canada, Finland and England.

Since I retired in 2010 I have been asked to talk about the value of exercise and a quality PE program in 22 states. When I speak about the program at NCHS people are amazed and wonder how they can create the same type of program in their district. I am even consulting now with the Chicago Public School system because they are bringing back 4 years of PE at the high school level in all 84 high schools in the city.

So I say to you take pride in the PE program and all that it offers you as students at Naperville Central. I know it is often difficult to exercise especially on your own.  So when you get an opportunity to do so during the school day take advantage of it and do so to the best of your ability. You will be healthier and happier and smarter for it.