School Activities
Last year’s middle school travel ban revealed a philosophical schism in the mission of the school district. Should the district focus on academics, or preserve a broader mission that includes extracurriculars and strong sports programs?
I don’t think it’s necessary to choose between the two. We can be focused on academics with room for travel. There is certainly much to be learned when traveling. When I attended school we were able to travel and do our work. It’s a reality – especially in high school, which the middle schools will soon get to – if you want to participate in extracurricular activities, you have to be able to manage your time both during the school day and when you travel. It’s also important for us to know that it has been a goal of the district to increase participation amongst students in activities and that’s positive and we’ve made great progress. Participation in activities correlates really well with academic performance. In some ways, it may be counterintuitive, but we may actually find that we’re increasing academic achievement by allowing carefully structured and well organized opportunities for kids to travel.
I don’t think the two can be separated. That doesn’t mean I think activities should be mandated at the school level from our district office. I think we should embrace what individual school communities feel should be part of the opportunities available to our kids. If a school values and priorities support the option for kids, within reason, to be able to travel then I think we ought to have that option at the school level.
In an area, or at a time I should say, which is extremely limited budget resources it’s difficult to do it all. I think that a good healthy school system includes both high priority on academic performance and classroom activities and enrichment and still engages our kids to want to come back to school and I think those extracurricular activities, sports are very important to maintain and to build on.