Pueblo (CO) student collapses, dies on playground

[CO Liberal]

One of the big local stories today here in Southern Colorado. I have one question after reading this: is it normal to have fourth-graders run a half-mile in phys ed class? To me, a half-mile run seems rather strenuous for kids that age. - Wayne

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Pueblo student collapses, dies on playground

By GAYLE PEREZ
THE PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN

A Ben Franklin Elementary School fourth-grader died Tuesday after she collapsed on the school playground while running in a physical education class.

Sydney Boettcher, 9, was pronounced dead at Parkview Medical Center, according to Pueblo County Coroner James Kramer. Sydney's father is Ian Boettcher. Her mother's name was not available. District 60 officials would not release the parents' names without their consent.

According to District 60 spokesman Greg Sinn, the child was running a routine half-mile as part of the P.E. class at about 11:45 a.m. when she collapsed on the playground.

Physical education teacher Mark Gonzales began to perform CPR on Sydney until paramedics arrived. The student was transported to Parkview Medical Center, where she died at about 12:05 p.m.

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http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1108564164/2

[Squatch]

1. A half mile without a doctor's approval is a bit much...

that's why kids who engage in school sports have to have physicals.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

14. it is if you are not accustomed to it

as stated below, regular training and good diet etc.. are all part of running great distances, (as proven by African kids).
I have no doubt though that this kid had a hidden heart problem.

[RawMaterials]

2. In Africa kids that age run

6-10 miles to school everyday then they work for their families in the farm. So no I don't think it is excessive for a 4th grader to run a 1/2 mile in PE. IMHO

[1monster]

5. Except that said African children run on a regular basis every day from

the time they are able to.

In our schools today, and even forty years ago when I was in elementary school, children are trotted out to the track and told to run half mile or a mile at the beginning of school, and are also required to do 50 sit ups and various other exercises without any muscle building or breathing technique preparation. Then near the end of the school year they are made to do the same "tests" over again to see if they have made any improvements.

In most of the P.E. classes that I have observed, during the inbetween period of the school year, the kids are still not getting any regular form of exercise that would build their running and exercise abilities.

There are many variables in how a child's body will react to this, including unknown heart/lung problems, dehydration, and simple exhaustion...

[seabeyond]

11. my white kids have always been active

i drop 7 and 9 year old off corners and let them run home. they have been running since they have been able to run. sometimes i send them outside just to run. i did too growing up

all the schools boys have been in, since kindergarten has had p.e. and the kids have had to exercise in different forms. at 9, 4th grade, they are doing what you say. easy mile run and 50 set ups, pull ups and other stuff

[Bridget Burke]

6. Do you legendary African kids have TV & video games at home?

Do they eat high fat, over processed food?

If some of them do have physical problems that cause averse reactions to all that running--do you hear about it?

[RawMaterials]

8. So its not an issue with the capability's of the human body at a young

age. More off an issue with PE, or our culture and lack of exercise. Should the Gym teach be at fault IMO no, but it is a tragedies non the less. here is a web page for English kids running group,

http://www.kidsrunning.com/school/krschool0326sr.html

"his was during normal school hours. The shortest race is just 66 metres and the longest, our special marathon set out on a specially designed circular course with bends and chicanes is of ten laps which is about 700 metres. We have a variety of races either paired, relays or individual over a range of distances."

snip..

" When they are in year 5 (9 coming on 10 years of age) they visit us at the YMCA and learn all the events but as well as learning how to jump throw and run they also have to do some maths, English and computer skills"

I think 9-10 is right around 4th grade but i could be wrong.

depending on the environment i guess 800 meters could be a bit excessive if there was no training to build up to that distance.

I would think that the English have a similar lifestyle to Americans

[Chico Man]

3. My 5th grade field day had a long race of..

200 yards. Two laps around the track was something we started in 7th grade. Actually , we started running a mile in 7th grade and had a yearly race each fall.

There must have been underlying heart issues.

[depakid]

4. Wonder if he was taking adderral? n/t

[noonwitch]

7. He probably had an aneurysm

That's my guess.

[rodeodance]

9. the child is a "she"

[seabeyond]

10. half a mile is NOT a big deal and our children should

be able to do it. my question is why she was not able to do

my children, three two different school are running up to a mile. i did in youth too. all children should, many are not able. what first came to my mind is drugs. how the running such a distance, without previous exercise, and if she was being medicated, how that would effect such a run

but i totally agree with a 9 year old be told to run a half a mile in class.

i just read the snippet, maybe there is more info in article,

[Jose Diablo]

12. To a kid, a half mile is nothing

It is only 2 laps around the track.

The death is probably from something like an aneurysm. Sad, but it happens.

Edit: I see somebody else suggested an aneurysm above.

[CO Liberal]

13. Update From Local Radio

The coroner is reporting that the girl had heart disease.

[pstokely]

15. this school has PE

many schools have gotten rid of recess and PE