An article in today's Fresno Bee talks about a law that went into effect this school year, beginning with the class of 2011, requiring students to take physical education classes until they can pass five of six tests or graduate.

It's meant to keep kids physically active and to fight childhood obesity, supporters say.

I say that's a good thing. Our schools should be focusing on creating well-rounded, healthy students, not only focusing on academics. The article quoted one freshman -- who passed all of the tests, by the way -- who said, "Students could exercise on their own or get involved in sports."

That would be great, if kids actually went outside and played or focused on athletics and academics. But too many of them are too busy playing video games, texting their friends, checking their MySpace pages to get out and walk the dog, go for a jog or ride a bike for more than a mile.

This web site for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a partnership between the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation, has links to lots of ways to promote a healthier environment in your home. But schools need to be involved too

Here's more from the article:

There is little debate that students who are physically active do well academically, said Camilla Sutherland, school improvement coordinator for the Fresno County Office of Education. Before testing, schools often have students run to a fence and back "to get those endorphins going," she said.

Healthier bodies lead to healthier minds. Now get out there and push yourself, and your kids. Way to go, Eddie Jimenez (a former member of this department), who took and passed all of the tests that students must undergo.

(File photo by Christian Parley/The Fresno Bee: A student hops through a workout station at Mt. Whitney High School.)