These poor kids had no idea what they were getting into. They thought that some BU grad students would come teach them about exercising and eating right. Instead, they got COM Professor Jo O’Connor (wearing red, in the front). Just look at the poor kid 50 seconds into the video.



This past Monday, a group of BU students in Prof. O’Connor’s community relations class spent a couple of hours with elementary school kids in Dorchester. The interactive workshop, called “Small Feet, Big Steps,” intended to help the students at Roger Clap School qualify for a grant to so that the kids can have gym class.

Remember gym class? Gym was my favorite subject in elementary school, with recess a close second. I distinctly recall playing capture the flag, dodgeball, volleyball, basketball, and other games my gym teacher, Mrs. Maine, appeared to make-up.

My friends and I were highly competitive. After the annual fitness challenge, we barely spoke to each other. And when we did talk, it was about how awesome we did in the one-mile run. Not any Joe Schmoe can run a mile in fewer than 12 minutes.

gym1

I can’t imagine not having gym class. Not only did we stay healthy, but we bonded and created memories. Like the time Frank hit Joe in the head when playing dodgeball. Or the time Jeff broke his arm jumping over the boards while playing hockey. Or when John didn’t win the mile run because a girl beat him.

The students in Dorchester are not creating these bonds. They’re not creating these memories. They’re not learning the benefits of a physically active lifestyle.

gym2

For one day, at least, about 20 COM students changed that, and helped them with their goal of establishing a physical education program. Not only did the COM class spend the afternoon with the elementary students, but it wrote a check for $300 and presented more than $5,000 in additional donations.

“It was so generous of BU to come out and choose Roger Clap since we do not have a physical education program,” said the school’s principal, Mary Tormey-Hamilton. “The BU students were really enthusiastic and patient and had a great time with the kids. The students loved going home with T-shirts, a nutritional snack and prizes.”

gym3

The kids heard a motivational lecture from Terry Holland, Australia’s Women’s Skeleton Team Head Coach for the 2010 Olympic Games. Yeah, I had to look it up, too. Skeleton is when you ride a sled face-first down an icy track. The students also went through soccer drills, hip-hop lessons, stretching exercises, and a food pyramid seminar.

“It is important that my students be able to share their talents and knowledge with others while giving back to the community,” said Prof. O’Connor, the one torturing the kid in the video.

Anyone from around here knows Dorchester as one of the poorest neighborhoods in Boston. Many BU students come from well-off families who don’t worry about gun shots when they walk out their front doors. Through one event, one day at the elementary school, a few COM students could help these kids live healthier lives by funding the establishment of a physical education program.

Now that would be no small feat.

gym4

Photos courtesy of Alexandra Herendeen