Power of athletics.

This year, my district, Natomas Unified, rolled out a district wide athletic program for all 4th and 5th grade boys and girls.  To assist in the roll out of this program on my site, I have added "athletic director" to my list of skills. I am now skilled in recruiting players and coaches, and putting together schedules for multiple teams. Not to mention, I now know how to run a scoreboard and game clock. Sort of.

Any time there is a new initiative rolled out in any district, there is a huge learning curve and a great deal of flexibility and communication required to pull it off. Changes in transportation times, meals provided and parents not knowing where to be can provide...a fun time all around.

Have there been moments of tension between myself and a parent who didn't know a game had been cancelled?  Yes.  Have there been times kids are running around the bus area waiting to be picked up without any supervision until I show up?  Yes.  And have I snapped at the kids for being so crazy and unsafe (cringe.)? Yes and Yes.

But the amazing part about it all - the part that makes it all worth it for me - is seeing the kids on the field and court during practices and games. Through flag football, volleyball, basketball and soccer, I have seen thousands of smiles and I have heard hours worth of laughter.

4th grade basketball team practice with their coach and 2 parent volunteers

It's not just about the smiles and laughter, though.  Stopping to really take a look at the faces where the smiles and laughter comes from makes it so much more meaningful.  A number of our student athletes, when visiting them in their classroom, are checked out.  Some of them are often sent to the office for not completing work, being disrespectful or not following directions.  Without getting into more specifics, these kids are disengaged in school.

When we think about the impact disengagement has on our intermediate students as they head into middle school, we realize how important it is to keep our kids coming to school. And that's why I love our athletic program.  It gives our otherwise "challenging" students an outlet to take pride and represent their school.  I love that these kids walk around school wearing their jerseys, connecting with other kids about their upcoming game. I swear, one of our teams had quite the losing streak and season record, but every time I saw the kids leaving their games, there were smiles everywhere and so much excitement in replaying different plays of the game.

4th and 5th grade volleyball players

Ok. I'll admit...I may or may not take advantage of this as an administrator who deals with much of the discipline at my site. When I know there is a game coming up and I see one of my players acting crazy town, I stop and ask them, "Wait. Don't you have a game today/tomorrow? Did you want to have full playtime during the game?" Yes. I know this is a low ball move, but somedays...well, it just works. (What will I do when the season is over?!?)

4th and 5th grade flag football team ready to load the bus.

After crazy days full of students, teachers, parents, IEPs, yard duty, and the occasional dead bird clean up in the breezeway, stopping in and watching my student athletes in the gym or on the field is the best way to end my day.  Seeing these "challenging" kids totally engaged, smiling and working with a team and listening to their coach is a true reward for all the hard work that goes into organizing an athletic program. It brings tears to my eyes that perhaps, we have re-engaged some our students before they go off to middle school.