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!" **************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)
