Article from WEBMd.com

Optimal Pace Solves Runners' Riddle
How Fast Should You Run? Each Person Has an Optimal Speed, Study Shows
By Caroline Wilbert
WebMD Health News
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

March 31, 2009 -- When your gym teacher told you to run a mile, you wondered whether it was better to go fast and get it over with or go slow and try to conserve energy. Which approach would make you more tired?

The answer to this riddle, according to a new study, is that each person has an optimal pace in which they can cover the greatest distance using the least amount of energy. This information, interesting to runners and trainers, also offers clues about evolution.

For the study, nine participants ran on a treadmill at six different speeds. Researchers measured each participant's metabolic rate at every speed, using a device that provided a breath-by-breath analysis of oxygen consumed and carbon dioxide produced. Participants ran at all six speeds on five different days during a three-week period.

The optimal speed for women was typically slower than for men. The women averaged an optimal speed of 6.5 miles per hour (about a 9-minute mile), and males averaged an optimal speed of about 8.3 miles per hour (about a 7-minute mile). Researchers said the difference likely had to do with height and weight -- the men were typically taller with longer legs -- than with other gender differences.

The slowest speeds, about 4.5 miles per hour (a 13-minute mile), were the least metabolically efficient. This could be because walking very fast and running very slow can be physically awkward.

Researchers view this research as important to understanding evolution. As humans have become taller and longer limbed, they have become more efficient runners and walkers. When they had shorter legs and less defined waists, more like apes, their bodies may not have been as suited for hunting.

MOD 16-17 SOFTBALL TEAMS

10TH GRADE SOFTBALL TEAMS. CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE. HAVE A GREAT 3 DAY WEEKEND.

9th grade Homework

Go to http://www.pyramid.gov/mypyramid/index.aspx
and create your own food pyramid. Record the daily recommendations Mypyramid gives you. Then create a food journal and keep track of everything you eat for 24 hours. Use the below websites to look up calories and nutrition value.

http://www.caloriescount.org/cgi-bin/calorie_calculator.cgi

http://www.thecaloriecounter.com/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpsrv/flash/health/caloriecounter/caloriecounter.html

Earth Hour

Turn out. Take action.
Be part of this historic event.
March 28, 2009, 8:30 pm local time

World Wildlife Fund is asking individuals, businesses, governments and organizations around the world to turn off their lights for one hour – Earth Hour – to make a global statement of concern about climate change and to demonstrate commitment to finding solutions.

http://www.earthhourus.org/main.php

American Idol 09

I don't watch much TV other than sports, but I have always been a fan of American idol. After this week's performance my vote goes to.......



Who are you voting for ?

Picture Update

Race Pictures from Emerald 12k.
It was pouring rain.
Somewhere in first place


Congratulations to team Japan beating Korea 5-3 in the Baseball World Classic

9th grade HW due 3/24/09

Type up three goals that you want to accomplish this year. One goal must be a health/fitness goal. The other two goals can be a(an)
• Artistic:

• Attitude:

• Career:

• Education:

• Family:

• Physical:

• Public Service:

Remember your goals have to be a SMART Goal.
• S Specific
• M Measurable
• A Attainable
• R Relevant
• T Time-bound

Goals must include details/examples along with
How will you meet your goals.
Goals within Goals.
Explanation of why you chose these goals.

NCAA Basketball tournament

Who do you want to win the NCAA College Basketball Tournament. Rock the vote on the new poll

Interesting article

How astronauts stay fit, on and off the planet

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/diet.fitness/11/18/exercise.in.space/index.html

10th graders

10th grade softball video

Lazy Sunday ...............

NOT REALLY!!!!
Nothing like waking up on a Sunday morning at 6:00am to go running in the pouring rain.


I was soaking wet at the finish line but had a lot of fun. It was also nice seeing some of my students volunteering at this event too. Pictures to come soon. See you tomorrow

Education Rules, Save Our Schools......

"Education Rules, Save Our schools" was the campaign slogan teachers shouted out as we marched and rallied from Golden Gate school to city hall.

The banner that led the march


The loudest protesters I have ever heard. Redding Elementary School


Dennis Kelly, President of the teachers union of San Francisco


Angry Teachers of San Francisco


Bus Drivers need support too


Teachers from San Francisco playing music


The best physical education teachers in the city (jk)



Superintendent Carlos Garcia making a speech and Mr Tray, teacher from Lowell High School on the right


Standing next to superintendent Carlos Garcia. He supports Physical Education


Overall the rally was a huge success. Thank you for everyone's support writing letters,emails, making phone calls, and for thinking of me during these tough times.

Why wear pink this Friday ?

Find more videos like this on Pink Friday

Reminder:


Also:
Wear pink on Friday, March 13 to show your support for public schools, students and educators.
March 13 is the deadline for school districts to issue preliminary pink slips to California's teachers. Last year, more than 10,000 teachers got pink slips and nearly 5,000 lost their jobs. And this year could be much worse.

Please join us on Friday, March 13 and Stand Up for Schools.



"Let no feeling of discouragement prey
upon you, and in the end you
are sure to succeed."
- Abraham Lincoln

Healthy Eating

Hey Class
Check out this article about healthy eating and eating habits.

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20090310/for-kids-sake-make-family-meals-a-habit?src=RSS_PUBLIC



Dont forget the save "the rainy day fund rally" is this Thursday.
Rally Thursday, March 12
to Save 500


Today the SFUSD sent out layoff notices to over 500 teachers and administrators. Let's turn the frustration and anger over these notices into action to help save our jobs.

Bring your entire school to the UESF rally on Thursday, March 12th. We will protest the cuts coming down from the state, and loudly call for the City to release the full $23 million Rainy Day Fund.

The rally begins at 4:00 p.m. at Civic Center Secondary school (727 Golden Gate Ave. [map]). At 4:30 p.m. we will march past the state building to Civic Center plaza, where the 'Angry, Tired Teachers Band' will greet us.

Arrange a carpool or take public transportation. The march and rally are easily accessible by BART and MUNI.

Copy and paste the link below
http://uesf.org/

Lowell Basketball

Congratulations Boys basketball San Francisco Section champions


For more information read the article
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/03/07/SPVL16ALG1.DTL&hw=lowell&sn=001&sc=1000

PFT

9th graders good luck with physical fitness testing.
"sometimes you have to jump if you want to get lifted."

Come show your support for your school and teachers

Why should you go ?
• Ask the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor to commit the full $23 million from the Rainy Day Fund to our schools, as is directed in the legislation that created the Rainy Day Fund. The current amount proposed ($11 million) is a wrong interpretation of the law, and it will deeply harm our schools.

• The law is clear. Our schools are eligible for 25% of the Rainy Day Fund. With a current balance of $92 million, that equals $23 million.

• The San Francisco Unified School District is facing a $29 million shortfall next school year. By releasing the full $23 million you will save up to 505 teacher jobs, and dozens of paraprofessional jobs. Without the full $23 million, you are putting our schools at risk.

• Anything less than the $23 million will also lead to cuts in vital programs and services for students. This includes potential increases in class sizes from Kindergarten to 3rd Grade, and in 9th Grade math and English.

• We are the highest performing urban school district in the state, with a Superintendent and staff that are committed to closing the achievement gap. We're making progress everyday. Without the $23 million this will all be put in jeopardy.

• The state Legislature and Governor have failed our schools. Now San Francisco's students, teachers, and public schools need your leadership and support.

• Please do the right thing, and give our schools what they deserve - the full $23 million.

Get active Copy and past the link to voice your opinion
http://www.uesf.org/pdf/parent_letter.pdf


Here is My letter I wrote:
Save the Rainy Day Fund
Stop the Layoffs & the Cuts

Contact the Mayor and Board of Supervisors by email and by phone

Dear Mayor Newsom & Board of Supervisors,

Hello,my name is Brian Okita and I teach at Lowell High School her in San Francisco. I am writing to you to urge you to give our schools the full 23 million from the rainy day fund.

San Francisco schools are facing a 29 million budget shortfall next year. By giving our schools only 11 million, you are putting our schools at risk. Without the full 23 million we are looking at layoffs of up to 505 teachers and dozens of paraprofessionals. It will lead to cuts in vital programs and services and drastic increases in class size.

The law is clear. Our schools are eligible for 25% of the Rainy Day Fund. With a current balance of 92 million that equals 23 million.

Our state legislature and Governor have failed our schools. We ask for your leadership and your support. Please do the right thing, and give our schools what they deserve- the full 23 million.

Thank you,



Brian Okita
Lowell High School