Yesterday I attended the two state football championship games that were held in Chugiak. Although the weather was poor, it was good to see our teams from Homer, Nikiski and Soldotna high schools compete at this level. Besides watching the games, the contests allowed me to say hello and observe many of our student athletes’ parents. They are an intense group of people with a tremendous pride for their sons and their respective school’s football program. From the first game in early August until a cold night in mid-October, they are present to support their team. Each of our sports and other activities also has similar groups of dedicated parents. While the district technically runs activities, the programs do not work without this strong parental and community support. I offer thanks to our parents for going the extra mile to help with their sons’ and daughters’ activities.
Student activities are one of those areas that periodically come under criticism. I’ve read and heard that we should follow a model that is used in some parts of Europe where the communities assume responsibility for the local school-age sports teams. I’ve also heard criticism that because some students choose not to participate in activities that it is unfair that district funds are dedicated to a select group of students. While each of these points has merit, I am convinced that our student activities are well worth the relatively small investment. Students who participate in activities generally tend to do better at school than to those who do not. As we strive to produce healthy, well rounded graduates, it is clear that student activities are an important way to help make this happen.
One Comment
It appears that “student activities” means exclusively sports. Why not consider the broader range of student activities such as those that have an academic basis? French club, Math Club, Battle of the Books, Spelling Bee, Future Problem Solving, Mind-A-Mazes, MathCounts, and Geography Bee? “Students who participate in activities generally tend to do better at school than to those who do not.” is vastly more true for any of those activities.
Are any of those intellectual activities funded by the district at anything near the level of Basketball and Football? Has any student student from KPBSD ever paid the rent with an NFL or NBA salary?
Sports teach a lot of lessons – being physically active, learning what your body is capable of, teamwork and more. But to spend money, build facilities, and put attention into activities which are extensions of PE and not do so for extracurricular activities that emphasis reading, writing, math, and problem-solving doesn’t serve students as well. The world needs PE teachers and aerobics instructors, of course, but the need, employability and salaries of professors, engineers, nurses, accountants, and programmers are higher.