There seems to be some conventional wisdom and widespread trend calling us to consider some aspects of an education as somehow more critical than others; pitting biology against computer aided design or mathematics against wrestling. This mindset is flawed from the outset. Removing any aspect of the educational offerings will severely impoverish the value and quality of the whole. It is demeaning to be asked to defend the benefit of each element. It is like asking if it would be better to lose the ability of the left or right side of one’s brain. Each side, each aspect, contributes to the healthy function of the whole. It is also pedagogically unsound to suggest that some aspects of education are more critical than others. Shall we tell Billy Beane and Peter Brand that sports and math have nothing to do with each other? Perhaps we should mention to Frank Lloyd Wright that engineering, design, and nature have nothing to do with one another. Maybe I should go back to my work with refugees and explain that my sports and dance training have nothing to do with addressing their mental health needs. While we are at it, let's tell Rachel Carson that her journalism skill had nothing to do with her ability to communicate complex scientific environmental principles to the masses in her bestselling book, "Silent Spring". As Benjamin Franklin aptly explained, “It would be well if [students] could be taught every thing that is useful and every thing that is ornamental; but art is long, and their time is short. It is therefore proposed that they learn those things that are likely to be most useful, and most ornamental. “And most ornamental”, comments Franklin. By equating art, music, athletics, and civic duty as “ornamental”, it is clear that Franklin would consider these “ornamental” aspects of education not just on par, but actually above the value of what is purely “useful” or academic in nature. Both Stevens and Franklin speak to us today. We must invest in the future of our
B
Barry dickey
6 years ago
My children benefited greatly from a Waynesboro District education and in the process participated in many of the extra curricular activities offered. That included 6 sports, cheer leading numerous clubs , as well as, the school paper and yearbook. I firmly believe they played A key role in chosen career fields(high school principal, minister and actress-playwright).
A
Anonymous
6 years ago
These programs are just as important as the sports in our schools! Otherwise some kids may not find their passion in music or theater! They also would have an unfair disadvantage to kids in other schools By not having these amazing programs! What if they raise money by fundraising more? Unfair but could help?
A
Anonymous
6 years ago
I would be willing to pay more in taxes in order to help, rather than cutting these programs for our learners. I’m proud of WASD and the way it strives to meet the needs of the whole child. These programs do so much good for our children and sense of community.
M
Matt Flynn
6 years ago
Between the board, the teachers, and the community, we can solve this. We need the board to lead the way.
A
Anonymous
6 years ago
Keep our activities!!!!! Please
L
Linda Mannarino
6 years ago
I believe that the sports, music and art departments are what help mold our Children into great adults and productive people! Our Children who are in any of these groups have grown up doing these things with their Friends! If you take these things away from the Kids you will be doing them such a dis service! So Please do not take these programs from our Youth
J
Jackson Sites
6 years ago
Featured
I am a 6th grader at WAMS and I have loved band. The teachers are great and I’ve learned so much. I’ve also realized that music and band helps me learn how to focus better in all other classes. I was really looking forward to playing in the high school band and beyond.
I
Isaiah Reed
6 years ago
Students who participate in sports/clubs have a 97% higher chance of going to college than those who don’t. Those students also have a 179% higher chance of actually graduating college compared to those who aren’t active in anything. In addition, it gives people like me a purpose. Don’t punish us for something that’s out of our control. Go Indians!
T
Tina Chamberlin
6 years ago
As a home owner, i am willing for my taxes to go to support extracurricular activities. There are too many kids who depend on this to get them through school.
C
Cathy Van Gilder
6 years ago
We must fight for our children’s school experience, which includes extracurricular activities like clubs, music, arts and sports. We cannot allow these programs to go away, they are far too important.
M
Monique Ito
6 years ago
Think about the kids that need this programs. To feel part of a family or shy or can not make friends easily but these programs helps them. It is their Senior year and it is their year to make it to states. Please think about how the school year ended this year. The kids do not know what next year is going to look like for them but now you wanted to add to their worries that they made not be able to play sports, have clubs or any art programs.
A
Amy Muller
6 years ago
I have a incoming senior student who is hoping for his second second of varsity soccer. He has worked way to hard for way too many years to not have this chance. He has also participated in marching band also for the past 3 years and would hate to miss his last year. My incoming sophomore has found some of his best friends in band and marching band. The bus rides and football games are full of life long memories for both of them. The activities are important for the kids. They are safe and productive and not getting into trouble. Kids who may not care about school but love their sport are required to keep a certain grade point. What will their incentive be now? We do not need a whole school of of teenagers with literally nothing to do. More free time means more time to get into trouble.
S
Sarah Benedict
6 years ago
I’m a freshman in choir, color guard, and the school musical. If something would happen to color guard, I would beg my mom to let me go to another district
T
Theresa Ingram-Kuhar
6 years ago
Extra curricular activities are part of the educational experience and should be viewed as way more more important and valuable to our children's once in a lifetime high school experience. Please allow them these growing and stimulating experiences!!
K
Krista Myers
6 years ago
Please consider all decisions carefully
B
Brad Long
6 years ago
cutting sports programs would put our children at a huge disadvantage
A
Aiden Roberts
6 years ago
Featured
As an upcoming senior, I know that about 60% of ALL sports and most clubs are made up with upcoming seniors. Please do not ruin that for us. These games and meets and shows are what we look forward to and what keeps us going throughout the year. Please don’t take that away from us.
L
Lisa Brookens
6 years ago
This is a difficult time for everyone. Let’s make it a little easier on our learners. Keep extracurricular activities for them. Raise taxes to help the deficit.
E
Emily Lang
6 years ago
I know we are all facing uncertainty with difficult decisions . But... you can not solve by taking away outlets of creativity for our future generations. The consequences will be irreversible. There are so many who are willing to go the extra for those who cannot. If this is coming down to an actual 70$ per year in school tax increases I am willing to pay that $70 for someone who can't
There seems to be some conventional wisdom and widespread trend calling us to consider some aspects of an education as somehow more critical than others; pitting biology against computer aided design or mathematics against wrestling. This mindset is flawed from the outset. Removing any aspect of the educational offerings will severely impoverish the value and quality of the whole. It is demeaning to be asked to defend the benefit of each element. It is like asking if it would be better to lose the ability of the left or right side of one’s brain. Each side, each aspect, contributes to the healthy function of the whole. It is also pedagogically unsound to suggest that some aspects of education are more critical than others. Shall we tell Billy Beane and Peter Brand that sports and math have nothing to do with each other? Perhaps we should mention to Frank Lloyd Wright that engineering, design, and nature have nothing to do with one another. Maybe I should go back to my work with refugees and explain that my sports and dance training have nothing to do with addressing their mental health needs. While we are at it, let's tell Rachel Carson that her journalism skill had nothing to do with her ability to communicate complex scientific environmental principles to the masses in her bestselling book, "Silent Spring". As Benjamin Franklin aptly explained, “It would be well if [students] could be taught every thing that is useful and every thing that is ornamental; but art is long, and their time is short. It is therefore proposed that they learn those things that are likely to be most useful, and most ornamental. “And most ornamental”, comments Franklin. By equating art, music, athletics, and civic duty as “ornamental”, it is clear that Franklin would consider these “ornamental” aspects of education not just on par, but actually above the value of what is purely “useful” or academic in nature. Both Stevens and Franklin speak to us today. We must invest in the future of our
My children benefited greatly from a Waynesboro District education and in the process participated in many of the extra curricular activities offered. That included 6 sports, cheer leading numerous clubs , as well as, the school paper and yearbook. I firmly believe they played A key role in chosen career fields(high school principal, minister and actress-playwright).
These programs are just as important as the sports in our schools! Otherwise some kids may not find their passion in music or theater! They also would have an unfair disadvantage to kids in other schools By not having these amazing programs! What if they raise money by fundraising more? Unfair but could help?
I would be willing to pay more in taxes in order to help, rather than cutting these programs for our learners. I’m proud of WASD and the way it strives to meet the needs of the whole child. These programs do so much good for our children and sense of community.
Between the board, the teachers, and the community, we can solve this. We need the board to lead the way.
Keep our activities!!!!! Please
I believe that the sports, music and art departments are what help mold our Children into great adults and productive people! Our Children who are in any of these groups have grown up doing these things with their Friends! If you take these things away from the Kids you will be doing them such a dis service! So Please do not take these programs from our Youth
I am a 6th grader at WAMS and I have loved band. The teachers are great and I’ve learned so much. I’ve also realized that music and band helps me learn how to focus better in all other classes. I was really looking forward to playing in the high school band and beyond.
Students who participate in sports/clubs have a 97% higher chance of going to college than those who don’t. Those students also have a 179% higher chance of actually graduating college compared to those who aren’t active in anything. In addition, it gives people like me a purpose. Don’t punish us for something that’s out of our control. Go Indians!
As a home owner, i am willing for my taxes to go to support extracurricular activities. There are too many kids who depend on this to get them through school.
We must fight for our children’s school experience, which includes extracurricular activities like clubs, music, arts and sports. We cannot allow these programs to go away, they are far too important.
Think about the kids that need this programs. To feel part of a family or shy or can not make friends easily but these programs helps them. It is their Senior year and it is their year to make it to states. Please think about how the school year ended this year. The kids do not know what next year is going to look like for them but now you wanted to add to their worries that they made not be able to play sports, have clubs or any art programs.
I have a incoming senior student who is hoping for his second second of varsity soccer. He has worked way to hard for way too many years to not have this chance. He has also participated in marching band also for the past 3 years and would hate to miss his last year. My incoming sophomore has found some of his best friends in band and marching band. The bus rides and football games are full of life long memories for both of them. The activities are important for the kids. They are safe and productive and not getting into trouble. Kids who may not care about school but love their sport are required to keep a certain grade point. What will their incentive be now? We do not need a whole school of of teenagers with literally nothing to do. More free time means more time to get into trouble.
I’m a freshman in choir, color guard, and the school musical. If something would happen to color guard, I would beg my mom to let me go to another district
Extra curricular activities are part of the educational experience and should be viewed as way more more important and valuable to our children's once in a lifetime high school experience. Please allow them these growing and stimulating experiences!!
Please consider all decisions carefully
cutting sports programs would put our children at a huge disadvantage
As an upcoming senior, I know that about 60% of ALL sports and most clubs are made up with upcoming seniors. Please do not ruin that for us. These games and meets and shows are what we look forward to and what keeps us going throughout the year. Please don’t take that away from us.
This is a difficult time for everyone. Let’s make it a little easier on our learners. Keep extracurricular activities for them. Raise taxes to help the deficit.
I know we are all facing uncertainty with difficult decisions . But... you can not solve by taking away outlets of creativity for our future generations. The consequences will be irreversible. There are so many who are willing to go the extra for those who cannot. If this is coming down to an actual 70$ per year in school tax increases I am willing to pay that $70 for someone who can't