There's a Reason Why National Standards Discourage Human Target Games in Gym Class

This morning's article in the Day about the Waterford boy who was seriously injured in gym class inaccurately characterized the game in question as one of "tag". Here's my response to the reporter, since I doubt she'll set the record straight:

Amy,
I regret not being able to call you back yesterday, particularly after reading your article that mischaracterized the game as one of “tag.” The game in which my client was injured was not the benign game of “tag” that you and I recall from childhood. As stated in our Complaint, the game was called “Everybody’s It Tag”, which is basically a free-for-all in which students are allowed to run around in a chaotic atmosphere of hitting and shoving, hardly an appropriate activity for “physical education” class. What is the educational component? There is a difference between physical activity and physical education. Allowing middle schoolers to run around like idiots is not educational. Physical education is supposed to involve activities that are developmentally and instructionally appropriate, teaching useful skills that help to promote a healthy and physically active lifestyle. “Everybody’s It Tag” is just another human target game that allows and even encourages aggressive behaviors toward other students in the class, which is why physical education experts have discouraged such games for decades. Accidents happen, but this was foreseeable and preventable.
Regards,"

me. I don't expect she'll do another article, but I'll be sure to take her call next time she calls looking for comment.