Boys on one side and girls on the other.  The separation of co-ed gyms was one of the first changes implemented by assistant principal Anthony Odita after Ms. Elder retired.
Since September, gym classes have been separated into boys and girls.  Boys gym is now located in the C-Gym and girl’s gym is now located in the G-Gym.
    “My main concern was the safety of the students.  A major issue with co-ed gyms was the danger due to contact sports,” said Mr. Odita.  “While playing basketball, a lot of times, you would have guys rushing into the girls court and have guys knocking into girls to get the ball.”
    Mr. Odita said the change was beneficial in an effort to maintain popular contact sports, like basketball, during regular gym classes.
    “I don’t think the changes made a significant difference in the safety of students,” said gym teacher Mr. Antony Whitfield.  “As long as we took safety precautions during gym classes.”
    Another benefit of the separation is the time saved by not having to walk through the auditorium. Students used to rush through the auditorium in order to get to their gym classes on time.  The crossing of boys and girls disrupted the various events that happen in the auditorium.  Security was also an issue, with students hanging out in the auditorium during the crossing, instead of going to class.  These problems are eliminated with boys and girls in separate gyms.
Melissa Lee ’15 said, “In my old school, we never had these types of gyms before, so it’s weird having the boys and girls separated.”
    Due to programing issues and equalization changes, some students have been programed to the opposite gym, but most of those students have gym earlier or later in the day.  Generally, gym classes between periods 3 through 9 are not mixed.  
Yao Jiang ’13 said, “I think being with just girls feels unnatural and limits what one can learn about sports because now we can’t learn from watching how guys play.”
“I prefer this way because since it’s boys now some guys won’t be as shy and will be more willing to participate,” said Jimmy Wu ’13.  “I also think it’s safer for the girls since the guys are rougher when playing.”
Some gyms are still co-ed, like ballroom dancing and weight training, though the majority of those classes are generally girls and boys respectively.  Since these classes are less of a safety concern, they were not targeted as potential hazards, said Mr. Odita.
“The majority of my weight training class is made up of boys.  I don’t mind the gender difference because the point of the class is to exercise, but my other friends are more comfortable being with their own gender,” said Wendy Lee ‘13.
    “My main concern was safety and time, and I think it helps the school culture as well.  So far I think the switch from co-ed gyms has been very successful,” said Mr. Odita.