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sports vs. other activities

 
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sports vs. other activities - 11/8/2008 1:42:06 PM   
artemis


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Last week, the Spanish Club at my school had a party and several of my students were not allowed to attend because they were in athletics and they couldn't miss practice. The students talked to me about it ahead of time and asked me to e-mail their coaches and see if they could miss part of practice to come to the party. I e-mailed all the coaches, but none of them would let the students miss practice to come Now, the party was scheduled from 3:35-4:15 and I asked if the students could miss part of practice and come to either the first 30 minutes of the party (when we would be cooking) or the last 15 minutes of the party (when we would be eating). That seemed more than reasonable to me, especially since the Spanish Club only has 2-3 events per semester. The coaches have the kids for 45 minutes every day during athletics, plus practice from 3:30-5:00 three days a week. I know that practice is important, but this love-affair that schools have with sports is driving me crazy. Sports (especially football) seem to take precident over everything, unless of course a kid is failing and about to loose eligibility, and then grades become important until the kid is making a 69.5

Do you see this in your kids' schools too? Or maybe it's just because I'm in Texas where football is king and the rest of life is in the shadows. I teach junior high, by the way... when I taught high school, this was a million times worse

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RE: sports vs. other activities - 11/8/2008 2:00:59 PM   
iluvatar


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With the way you've described the schedules, it looks like attending any part of your party would cause that student to miss a significant part of practice (if not the whole thing).

If practice is 3:30 - 5:00 and your party is 3:35 - 4:15, attending the first half hour of your party would be 3:35 - 4:05. After leaving, it would probably take a good 10-15 minutes for the student to get back to the locker room, change, and get out on the field. That's 4:15, at which point, half of practice (including all of the warmup drills) is over. Attending the last 15 minutes would be 4:00 - 4:15. There wouldn't be much point in getting suited up for practice, doing warmups for 20-30 minutes only to stop for 25-30 minutes (get undressed if it's football), eat a big meal, and then (get suited back up if it's football) come back for another half-hour of drills. That's a good way to get sick.

I don't agree with the high priority that sports get, but I can understand the reluctance on the coaches' part, because while it may be only 15-30 minutes they're at your party, it will be a more significant impact on the amount of time they're away from practice.

-Dan.

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RE: sports vs. other activities - 11/8/2008 2:16:10 PM   
artemis


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I know what you're saying, but I don't think they would have really missed that much time. They were practicing in the gym and we were in the cafeteria (right next to each other). The kids could have come in their gym clothes. This was actually volleyball and basketball practice that they were missing, not football (football conflicted with the last event we had). We were making salsa, so the food they would be eating was just a few chips and salsa... and since I didn't give the kids a recipe, the salsa was pretty bad and most of them didn't eat much anyhow

The party isn't that big of a deal, it's just the most recent thing. I also can't get kids to come to tutoring or make up tests because they have practice after school and I'm not on campus in the mornings. That, to me, is ridiculous. And frustrating.

Then again, I teach an elective. The core classes might not have as much trouble getting kids into tutoring.

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RE: sports vs. other activities - 11/8/2008 2:57:22 PM   
garsyt


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Hey Amy!

Here at the middle school level it's swimming. Swimming ALWAYS conflicts with EVERYTHING. We had some kids on swim team have to turn down primary roles in school musicals because the coach wouldn't allow them to come in late (swim practice starts at 4:15) to practice when play practice was from 3PM to 4:30. And the pool was just down the hall from the auditorium.

Now for the party. It's once a quarter. So I clearly understand your frustration. I would be frustrated too. But what bugs me more is that you can't get them in for tutoring or to make up tests! Doesn't your school have a policy that if they are failing a class that they can't play the sport til they bring up the grade? Here the middle school takes it one step further - If you fail any test or assignment during the time frame of your sport or activity you will not be allowed to compete or practice til that test or assignment is passed.

Blessings,

Garsy

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RE: sports vs. other activities - 11/9/2008 7:58:19 AM   
PrincessDonna


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Here it's soccer or basketball, but yes, the teachers struggle with this. Even in the Christian school. We had quite the "discussion" at the last BOE meeting about this and other sports related things.

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RE: sports vs. other activities - 11/9/2008 8:54:02 AM   
artemis


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Oh, if the kids are failing and in danger of losing eligibility, then that's a different story. The coach will come to my room personally, collect all of the student's missing work, ask me to explain all the directions and then make the kid sit on the sidelines of practice until he/she is caught up and passing. Sometimes they'll send another, "smarter" kid to my room and ask me to explain the assignment to that kid so he/she can tutor the failing student. I highly suspect cheating in those cases, but what can I do about it? It's so frustrating. It's amazing how a student can somehow make high B during football season, but have to be bumped up to a 60 (the lowest grade we're allowed to give) every other six-weeks... and then get credit for the class because their overall average is passing

People should know better than to upset the cranky, pregnant Spanish teacher. Next time the school wants me to call a Spanish-speaking parent and translate for them, I just might make a few "mistakes" in the translation



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RE: sports vs. other activities - 11/9/2008 5:31:06 PM   
ladyingrace1979


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My dd's school is almost the opposite way. It is a public performing arts magnet school. Any student who tries out for any of the performing groups is not allowed to be in school sports, not that they have much to offer.

If I had my way sports would be outside of school, at least until High school. I don't see the point of elementary or even middle schools having sports teams and traveling to compete with other schools. If parents are that interested in sports there are tons of leagues available for them. Tax dollars need to be spent on something that will help the whole school population, not just those who are athletic.

So lets see, encouraging children to learn and practice using a foreign language or to play sports, which is going to do the most good for their future? Just my crazy mind but I know if I were the principal your Spanish club would have gotten priority hands down!

Kim Q
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RE: sports vs. other activities - 11/9/2008 6:26:03 PM   
garsyt


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The problem is, Kim, is that Spanish parties aren't bringing in any $$$$. Sports competitions do. They also bring attention to the schools, especially at the high school level. It's completely backward if you ask me, but that's how it is for MANY school districts.

I still find it appalling that coaches would encourage kids to "cheat" and "help" (which I suspect is actually doing the work for the failing student) just to keep them on the team. Doesn't do much to teach the ethics of honesty, right and wrong, responsibility, does it?

Blessings,

Garsy

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RE: sports vs. other activities - 11/9/2008 7:20:37 PM   
csl7037

 

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I think the biggest problem might be that it was a party v. a practice. A party is nice and all but, by it's very nature, is pretty optional. It's a nice reward. But a practice is a commitment. If there was a Spanish competition or meeting or some other activity directly related to the function of the Spanish Club, I imagine the coaches would've been more accommodating. When you're talking about a team practice, one or two or a few people missing really diminishes what the whole team is able to accomplish that day. When kids make a commitment to a team (to other people), that might mean missing out on something fun. That's part of the deal.
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RE: sports vs. other activities - 11/10/2008 7:50:41 AM   
artemis


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quote:

ORIGINAL: ladyingrace1979

So lets see, encouraging children to learn and practice using a foreign language or to play sports, which is going to do the most good for their future? Just my crazy mind but I know if I were the principal your Spanish club would have gotten priority hands down!



If you ever move to Texas and get a job in school administration, let me know...


quote:

ORIGINAL: garsyt

The problem is, Kim, is that Spanish parties aren't bringing in any $$$$. Sports competitions do. They also bring attention to the schools, especially at the high school level. It's completely backward if you ask me, but that's how it is for MANY school districts.


Very true. Money talks, so sports are important. Test scores on standardized tests also give the school money, so once we get into the testing season, students will be pulled out of my class to be tutored for their core classes. Last year, I had a student miss 3 full weeks of Spanish to go to math tutoring (couldn't do that after school... he was in athletics ). I'm not allowed to hold the students responsible for the materials they miss while they're in tutoring. But at least I can mentally justify a kid having to miss Spanish for Math. Not so much when a kid can't come to Spanish tutoring because he has baseball practice.


quote:


I still find it appalling that coaches would encourage kids to "cheat" and "help" (which I suspect is actually doing the work for the failing student) just to keep them on the team. Doesn't do much to teach the ethics of honesty, right and wrong, responsibility, does it?


When I taught high school, I had coaches come pretty close to threatening me if their athletes didn't pass. I had a few parents threaten to sue or get me fired if their child didn't pass and became inelligible. Once a certain sport season was over, no one cared about that kid any more

quote:

ORIGINAL: csl7037

I think the biggest problem might be that it was a party v. a practice. A party is nice and all but, by it's very nature, is pretty optional. It's a nice reward. But a practice is a commitment. If there was a Spanish competition or meeting or some other activity directly related to the function of the Spanish Club, I imagine the coaches would've been more accommodating. When you're talking about a team practice, one or two or a few people missing really diminishes what the whole team is able to accomplish that day. When kids make a commitment to a team (to other people), that might mean missing out on something fun. That's part of the deal.


Oh, I understand that this was just a party and it's not a huge deal. It's just the most recent example I had and it was very frustrating to the kids, since they spend about 6 hours a week in practice and couldn't miss 30 minutes of it. Last year, I had some parents call me to complain about their kids not being able to come to Spanish club activities because of athletics, so I thought that maybe this year, we could work something out. Missing the party, I understand, even if I don't like it. Not being able to make up tests or come to tutoring is insane, though. I know that student council and a lot of the other organizations have to offer 2 times for their meetings--one in the morning and one in the afternoon--to accomodate the athletics schedules. That's a lot of extra work for those sponsors. I can't do that anyway, because when the school funding was cut, so was the foreign language budget, and now I have to travel between 2 schools and I'm not at my home campus in the mornings.

Eh... It's just one more reminder that my class and I aren't really important You'd think after seven years of teaching, I'd expect it

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RE: sports vs. other activities - 11/10/2008 1:06:31 PM   
garsyt


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I feel for you Amy and all teachers that have to deal with this kind of garbage. As a parent and taxpayer - I KNOW that sports are not going to be what sustains most kids through life thus I REALLY PUSH academics and that means ALL academics. My eldest's German class is no less important then his Geometry class. Extra curricular is just that EXTRA. Extra means that it is NOT necessary, extra means if academics are floundering this "extra" would be one of the first things to go. Now I also know that kids need extras and sports is an option. But in the long run for most kids - sports isn't going to pay the bills.

Blessings,

Garsy

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RE: sports vs. other activities - 11/10/2008 3:33:33 PM   
csl7037

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: garsyt

I feel for you Amy and all teachers that have to deal with this kind of garbage. As a parent and taxpayer - I KNOW that sports are not going to be what sustains most kids through life thus I REALLY PUSH academics and that means ALL academics. My eldest's German class is no less important then his Geometry class. Extra curricular is just that EXTRA. Extra means that it is NOT necessary, extra means if academics are floundering this "extra" would be one of the first things to go. Now I also know that kids need extras and sports is an option. But in the long run for most kids - sports isn't going to pay the bills.

Blessings,

Garsy


My dd's coaches are very supportive of academic obligations and don't mind at all if a kid misses for tutoring or for an academic reason (lots of the 6th graders need the extra tutoring). But other extra activities need to be weighed and the commitments that are made need to be honored. Kids know the commitment when they try out or sign up and if that means not doing something else then that's the decision they're making. Being on a team, IMO, is a very valuable lesson and so is making time for physical exercise. And it's not acceptable to miss practices if something "more fun" comes up or another club has a party. I'm sorry, that's letting down a team full of players counting on their teammates' commitment.

We went out of town this weekend for a family event. We left as soon as ds' soccer game was over Saturday morning and raced back this afternoon so that dd could make her soccer practice because their first game is tomorrow. No, soccer will never get my kids a job or pay their bills but learning the meaning of a commitment and being part of a team will. And learning the value and importance of physical activity is a priority in our home...maybe among the top 4 or 5 things I want them to learn about life, as a matter of fact. An extracurricular club is not the same priority or commitment as being a member of a team.
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RE: sports vs. other activities - 11/10/2008 5:29:33 PM   
garsyt


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I agree with you CSL. I really do. I'm not saying that athletics and being a part of a team are not important. But FAILING academics and Amy not being able to keep athletes after school for tutoring or to make up exams and when she has been practically threatened by coaches and parents alike when an athlete is nearly failing.

I do have to disagree with you tho that an extra curricular group is not the same as a sport. Think about a theatre production - The cast is a team and if they don't work together - the production doesn't happen. Speech and debate teams function as individuals and as a unit and if kids miss practices it can be detrimental to the teams performance. Even my eldest's ds's writing club teaches some things that he wouldn't be getting else where. One doesn't have to be involved in sports to get the values of commitment and teamwork. My daughter is part of a choir, and a student council member and she is trying out for color guard. ALL three of these things require a commitment on her part and they may be merely extra curricular but they require team work and if the kids don't work together the whole group will be let down.

Parties are one thing - that I agree and I'm sure Amy would too. But she is talking about how difficult it is to get athletes in after school for tutoring and to make up exams, she's talking about not being allowed to let a child FAIL her class because their coach or parent believes a child's participation in basketball is more important then passing Spanish and the powers that be won't allow a failing grade. The party was just the latest in a series of happenings I'm sure.

Right now my eldest is failing Biology. If he were part of the basketball team or wrestling squad or whatever the sport of choice would be - you had better believe that I would EXPECT his coaches to kick his little behind into tutoring sessions with his biology teacher and I would EXPECT that he not be allowed to play as part of the team while his grades didn't show that he cares enough about what his priority SHOULD be to be participating in that sport or representing his school in a game. I would expect the same from his theatre director too. In fact I would expect it should he be failing ANY of the classes on his roster right now including his German and theatre classes, which are not considered necessarily core classes (although a foreign language is required in our State for graduation). In fact if he were in the current theatre production the director would have had to pull him from it til his grades were up to at least a C range as that is school policy. And he would be letting the rest of the cast down, or the team if he were on one, but because the kids KNOW going into these sports and groups that if their academics slip their eligibility will be in jeopardy, then I would EXPECT the kids to do something about it.

I'm reading this back to my ds and he just made the comment that some of the athletes are some of the hardest workers academically because they KNOW that if they are receiving a failing grade they won't be allowed to play or participate. Period.

Blessings,

Garsy

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RE: sports vs. other activities - 11/12/2008 4:04:21 PM   
ladyingrace1979


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quote:

ORIGINAL: garsyt

The problem is, Kim, is that Spanish parties aren't bringing in any $$$$. Sports competitions do. They also bring attention to the schools, especially at the high school level. It's completely backward if you ask me, but that's how it is for MANY school districts.

I still find it appalling that coaches would encourage kids to "cheat" and "help" (which I suspect is actually doing the work for the failing student) just to keep them on the team. Doesn't do much to teach the ethics of honesty, right and wrong, responsibility, does it?

Blessings,

Garsy


You want to hear appalling? We have a high school here where an athlete missed 2/3 of class time in algebra. The teacher stated that he gave the student a failing grade, only to discover later that it had been changed to an A. The district investigation consisted of asking the principle to investigate. The algebra teacher was put on unpaid leave. Anyone smell a cover-up?

The thing about this that really bothers me is that they aren't helping the students. What happens when Johny goes to college based on grades they didn't earn. Johny gets babied through college, and then goes to the pros. Johny either finds out he's not the star anymore or Johny gets injured and his career is over. Johny doesn't have the big salary that the stars get, Johny has a useless college degree but no skills...now where are all the people that build up Johny now that he's no benefit to them? I know this is an extreme example but it does happen.

It seems to me that too many schools have become athlete factories rather than learning institutions.
Kim Q
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RE: sports vs. other activities - 11/30/2008 4:24:08 PM   
narnia


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quote:

The teacher stated that he gave the student a failing grade, only to discover later that it had been changed to an A. The district investigation consisted of asking the principle to investigate. The algebra teacher was put on unpaid leave.


The teacher was put on unpaid leave?!

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RE: sports vs. other activities - 11/30/2008 9:31:57 PM   
garsyt


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Beware - sarcastic rant coming on --- --

Of course the teacher was placed on unpaid leave. Can't have a star athlete getting picked on by a big old mean algebra teacher now can we??? Of course we can't expect parents back the teacher because of course their little Johnny or Janie couldn't possibly have failed Algebra because their coach would have never allowed it, and their child couldn't possibly do anything wrong or dishonest.

So far none of my children are that heavily into athletics or really any extra curriculars. I mean Ty is involved in Theatre, Aryn has her things and scouts and the little two have their scouts and sports but it still is all at the low-pressure stage. I'm extremely adamant about their educations and I will NOT allow extras to get in the way of their educations.

Blessings,

Garsy

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RE: sports vs. other activities - 11/30/2008 11:44:43 PM   
momma_bee

 

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I had a conversation with someone the other day. Her son plays trumpet, same as mine. They have been buddies since 1st grade. She had to ask me what BigBee played and said that she only knows the instrument if you are in marching band. She asked why BB doesn't do marching bands and I said it was because we did "A's" instead...

Kinda mean of me, I was stressed. And, I knew I could josh her a bit.

But, even the band director seems to think his class / activity is more inportant than what they do in the classroom.
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RE: sports vs. other activities - 12/1/2008 2:16:08 PM   
debilyn

 

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quote:

But, even the band director seems to think his class / activity is more inportant than what they do in the classroom.


Yep, been there, told the band director which was most important in our family. He wasn't thrilled, but since I am one of the few parents who will get in there and help with band, he listened. Oh, and he has heard it from several parents in the last couple of years.

It doesn't help that our current high school schedule makes it harder for anyone to do extracurricular activities that require some time in class. But that's another rant ....
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RE: sports vs. other activities - 12/2/2008 8:36:58 PM   
ladyingrace1979


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quote:

ORIGINAL: garsyt

Beware - sarcastic rant coming on --- --

Of course the teacher was placed on unpaid leave. Can't have a star athlete getting picked on by a big old mean algebra teacher now can we??? Of course we can't expect parents back the teacher because of course their little Johnny or Janie couldn't possibly have failed Algebra because their coach would have never allowed it, and their child couldn't possibly do anything wrong or dishonest.

So far none of my children are that heavily into athletics or really any extra curriculars. I mean Ty is involved in Theatre, Aryn has her things and scouts and the little two have their scouts and sports but it still is all at the low-pressure stage. I'm extremely adamant about their educations and I will NOT allow extras to get in the way of their educations.

Blessings,

Garsy


It gets worse. Other teachers have already stated that they were required to give the principle their passwords. Now, the district is saying the teacher is the one who changed the grade and he has been fired. O.K. now maybe I'm a little slow here. But if I were a teacher who knew I would be fired if I changed a grade after they were posted, would I be the one to report it? Now the is a law suit pending and a great many upset parents.
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RE: sports vs. other activities - 12/18/2008 11:29:08 PM   
lynnmoon


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I just saw this thread, even though I know it's long over. But it's the very reason that I often pray that my child has ABSOLUTELY NO athletic interest at all. His dad is a product of the football education and it still infuriates me on his behalf and we are DIVORCED, lol!!!!!


All those great lessons in committment and teamwork that sport advocates talk about, as far as I'm concerned, are better served coming from a source where the other costs aren't as high. My ex was passed through everything because he was good at ball. What did he learn? To play football, duh. And came away with the sense that this was pretty much all that he was good for. Run, Forest, Run....comes to mind. His confidence in himself is still pretty low because his only confidence is in his physical ability. He was skated by so much that he really doesn't think that his brain is on par with other folks. Well, now that he is all grown up and his brain is all that's gonna earn him any money....where are all those "helpful" coaches and administrators. I'd love to kick a few of them in the teeth right now.

I hope that my son is built like a steam engine, but chooses to play Cello instead. That's honestly how much I dislike the whole High School sports system as it stands today. Oh, for reference sake I'm not in Texas but I'm from Tennessee who is probably in 2nd or 3rd place in the obsessive sports dept. and I think that has something to do with it.

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RE: sports vs. other activities - 12/18/2008 11:53:31 PM   
garsyt


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quote:

I hope that my son is built like a steam engine, but chooses to play Cello instead.


The problem is Lynn, is that sometimes band and orchestra can be just as bad as sports! Around here, during marching season for the band, many of the kids turn in great grades - just so they can stay eligible to march and play their instrument, when marching season is over, many of these kids' grades begin to slip and some flat out bottom out. Makes me wonder sometimes. Ty said their was a band kid in his German class - the kid made pretty much a HIGH B, Low C range during marching season, but now that marching season is over the kid's grades are in the lower B, higher C range. It's when ANY one thing becomes the be all and end all of a child's/person's life, and there is a refusal there to let a much loved activity sit for a time to focus on more important matters that are not as much fun.

Blessings,

Garsy

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RE: sports vs. other activities - 12/19/2008 12:37:35 AM   
pdvc19

 

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quote:

The problem is Lynn, is that sometimes band and orchestra can be just as bad as sports! Around here, during marching season for the band, many of the kids turn in great grades - just so they can stay eligible to march and play their instrument, when marching season is over, many of these kids' grades begin to slip and some flat out bottom out. Makes me wonder sometimes. Ty said their was a band kid in his German class - the kid made pretty much a HIGH B, Low C range during marching season, but now that marching season is over the kid's grades are in the lower B, higher C range. It's when ANY one thing becomes the be all and end all of a child's/person's life, and there is a refusal there to let a much loved activity sit for a time to focus on more important matters that are not as much fun.


I'm not sure I follow your logic here? One of the benefits of extracurricular activities is that it encourages a student to perform academically. I am a varsity head coach, and I often see students who struggle academically bring their grades up in time for the season in order to become eligible. If it weren't for the fact that the student desires to become eligible for the activity, they wouldn't bother struggling to bring up their grades.

Incidentally, I will always excuse students for academic reasons, but it will have a bearing on their playing time. They don't get a free pass just because they are staying after school because they are falling behind in their studies. There is no way I would consider an athlete attending a party an excused absence, however. Why would you schedule a party at a time that conflicts with another activity?
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RE: sports vs. other activities - 12/19/2008 9:17:28 AM   
momma_bee

 

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So you feel that grades improve while a sport is in season is because they work harder? This may be true - they focus more because they have less time.

I don't know if any teachers lower their expectations for athletes during their season, but I do wonder how some students get their work done properly when they have activities that start at the end of the school day, and do no end until 8-9pm. If they have 2-3 hours of homework, and need to be on the school bus a 7am, it seems like it should be a recipe for failure, rather than success.

I do know that when I was in school, students who did poorly on the wording of essay questions in history would score high on written papers in English. That teacher coached track and football. He would offer to read the drafts of papers by certain students. Not mine.
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RE: sports vs. other activities - 12/19/2008 2:11:07 PM   
ladyingrace1979


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quote:

ORIGINAL: pdvc19

quote:

The problem is Lynn, is that sometimes band and orchestra can be just as bad as sports! Around here, during marching season for the band, many of the kids turn in great grades - just so they can stay eligible to march and play their instrument, when marching season is over, many of these kids' grades begin to slip and some flat out bottom out. Makes me wonder sometimes. Ty said their was a band kid in his German class - the kid made pretty much a HIGH B, Low C range during marching season, but now that marching season is over the kid's grades are in the lower B, higher C range. It's when ANY one thing becomes the be all and end all of a child's/person's life, and there is a refusal there to let a much loved activity sit for a time to focus on more important matters that are not as much fun.


I'm not sure I follow your logic here? One of the benefits of extracurricular activities is that it encourages a student to perform academically. I am a varsity head coach, and I often see students who struggle academically bring their grades up in time for the season in order to become eligible. If it weren't for the fact that the student desires to become eligible for the activity, they wouldn't bother struggling to bring up their grades.

Incidentally, I will always excuse students for academic reasons, but it will have a bearing on their playing time. They don't get a free pass just because they are staying after school because they are falling behind in their studies. There is no way I would consider an athlete attending a party an excused absence, however. Why would you schedule a party at a time that conflicts with another activity?


The OP was having a party for Spanish class. The only way to practice a foreign language is to use it. Since most kids aren't going to practice their Spanish while playing football, or any other sport for that matter, it was the best way to both reward their hard work and get them some practice time. The OP tried to find a different time.

My question to you, is simply this, why are all other activities expected to schedule around sports? And as far as I know most schools here only require a passing grade to play sports. That means I kid can have D's and play. High standards!