In a message dated 11/27/2007 9:12:31 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

Mario and Denise had a short discussion  about the varying degrees between 
supporting education and supporting  sports....  Both were making a valid 
point.... A few years back, ...  I was heartened by the extreme show of support 
by 
AP parents for their  football program, but I came to the same conclusion Mario 
did. Yes, it was a  great show of support for an undefeated football team, 
but, where, I wondered,  was that show of support(and outrage) over the sad 
state of Asbury's school  district? Asbury Park seems to be a front runner, 
when 
the team is good  support them, when the show is Springsteen support him, but 
the little guys  and the losers are just left behind.


Fortunately for me, I taught in a system where academics were a top  
priority.  Academics were complemented, not overshadowed, by sports; and  more 
than 
enough parents were just as interested in Advanced Placement scores as  they 
were in the game scores.
 
I loved teaching advanced placement,
BUT I'm also in favor of fully funded performing arts AND  physical education 
classes for all students:  teaching life-long skills for  physical 
well-being. 
 
Several years ago, there was a state movement to upgrade phys ed  programs so 
that all student could achieve -- based on their  abilities. There would have 
been less emphasis on  competitive activities which ensured "losers."  It 
promised life-long  leisure activities for physical health and well-being: 
exercise and games   (no small thing for our overweight and diabetic prone 
nation).
Unfortunately, in the budget making processes around the state,  phys ed and 
the arts were seen as lesser priorities.
 
It's sounds cliched, but no less true, that in today's global work  force,
it's the geek, not the jock, whose prospects are brighter after  high school.
 
"Boola, Boola!" the old Yale football fight song, is quaint but  meaningless 
when we're competing with the techies from India and China and cheap  labor 
from around the world.
 
In light of those assumptions on my part, I found it silly that  some Howell 
parents were bitchin' about not enough recess time in the school  schedule.  I 
ran into a colleague yesterday who is connected with that  system.  He said 
that the BOE there had recently added 15 more minutes  to the teachers' day so 
that there would be more contact time between teachers  and students; if the 
doting parents have their way, that extra 15  minutes will now be for recess.


That the  kids have achieved so much in the face of such adversity, the HS 
team going  for a championship along with the Pop Warner kids means so much. I 
hope we all  get out there and support them with all we have, I know that I  
will.
Sports, like motherhood and apple pie, will never be short on public  
advocates.
But academics (forget "English only" -- it's math, science, foreign  
language, civics and skills for life-long learning we need)
seem destined to remain begging for money and committed supporters.
 
======================================================
 
BTW:  "Boola, Boola!" was before my time. 
In my day, we shouted, "Boomlaka, Boomlaka, Siss Boom Bah!  Essex,  Essex! 
Rah, Rah, Rah!"  
 
 
 
 







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