This fall has been exciting as we have watched communities come together in Bulldog Stadium to support their teams. Often we will hear such comments as "I wish people cared as much about academics as they do athletics." In reality, the two go hand in hand. Whether it is athletics or other extra curricular activities such as band, showchoir or theater, these are an important part of education.
First let's look at some of the skills that students learn in these sports and extra curricular activities. These are skills that are also taught in the classroom and are life long skills.
1. Be a team player. Students are taught that it is not a one man show. All students have to do their job, or the end product suffers. While some students may have more individual skill, it takes the whole group -- a quarterback cannot win a game without his offensive line, a soloist cannot conduct the orchestra and light the stage, etc. Neither can a CEO run a company without his/her staff.
2. Persevere and work hard. While players are preparing for a game, they are working hard day after day. They go over and over the same plays. They look for their mistakes and how to correct them. This is the same message that is in an academic class. Go back over the problem or assignment. Look for what you may have done wrong. Keep working until it is right. Make it your best work.
3. Self discipline. When students participate in sports and activities, it is expected that the students will be on time, listen, stay focused and be responsible. The classroom also needs students to be on time, listen, stay focused and be responsible.
4. Be a person of strong character. On or off the field, on or off the stage, in or out of class, teachers work with students on how to be men and women of integrity. Teachers, coaches and administrators are teaching students to be honest, trustworthy, dependable, accept diversity.....and the list goes on. These character traits are emphasized on the playing fields, on the production stages and in the classrooms.
Probably one of the most important aspects of extra curricular activities is about relationships. Research shows that when students are a part of a group, they are less likely to drop out of school and are more likely to make good grades. Why? Because there is an adult in the school with whom the student is connected. Teachers diligently work to form relationships with students in their classrooms and get to know the students. In elementary school, for the most part, students are with the same teacher all day long. These teachers know the parents, how the child gets to school, who their friends are, etc. In middle school, a teacher may only have 50-60 minutes a day with a student. That's why our team concept is so important. The team of teachers work together to ensure that they know the students beyond just their class time. By high school, students may only see a teacher for 96 minutes for one half of the year. Yet, the amount of time spent in extra curricular activities far exceeds the class time. The coaches, club sponsors, directors, etc., become the adult that establishes a strong connection with the student. Because of those connections, many students do better in academics.
During my career, I have found that most people do value academics as much or more than athletics. But, athletics provides a venue for communities to show their support. They cannot come cheer on a science class, but they can cheer on a team. They cannot leave work and walk the halls to say "well done", but they can applaud at a performance. To me, when a community supports the arts and athletics, they are supporting academics. It all works together. I am so thankful that I live in a community that shows it's support of our students and for our academics by filling Bulldog Stadium on a Friday night. Thank you for rewarding our students for their hard work both on and off the field. It's great to be a Dawg!
