subject: Will School Sports Suffer The Same Demise As The Arts [print this page] Will School Sports Suffer The Same Demise As The Arts
It was late term school year 2010 when several high school parents found themselves picketing in front of the school administration offices calling out the superintendent to explain why their particular school site was unfairly targeted to receive a brunt of the districts layoff numbers.
It just so happened that this schools layoff roster included most all of the teacher/coaching staff. It didn't make any sense?
Understanding the principles of tenure, it was true that this particular school was staffed with younger, less tenured teachers. This was due to the school site's principles efforts to "clean house" with a fresh crew of bright, enthusiastic teachers. Part of a rebuilding effort so to speak. As far as expenses go, many of these school site's staff members had donated much of their free time fund-raising privately to cover the expenses of school sports equipment.
One particular teacher was twice struck with the proverbial budget hatchet. As a high school art teacher and cheer adviser, she didn't stand a chance. Though parents rallied by her side, the art class was canceled as well as the cheer program. What next? take the drum sticks away form the drum corps team?
I understand that these times of budgetary constraints are unprecedented, but these school system's advisers need to clearly understand that you can't take away all student incentives to motivate their participation and success in their studies. As the saying goes. "All work and no play make Johnny a dull boy". With drop out rates clearly on the rise, our children deserve a fighting chance in preparation for their career paths.
Music programs have suffered for several years now even while the budgets were fairly healthy. It appears that this was a clear case of priority. Let's see...algebra or piano, hmmm. What is clear to me is that music is education, you LEARN to read music, you LEARN to play an instrument. Same goes with sports. Values are taught that clearly benefit our youth. Kids are taught to work together as a team sports unit. Self esteem is clearly achieved through group participation and goal setting.
Let's hope that State government can find a solution to this fiscal crisis.
