universal freshman eligibility for Montgomery County Public Schools sports and activities

[Anonymous]

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/lawmakers-propose-universal-freshman-eligibility-for-montgomery-county-public-schools-sports-and-activities

BETHESDA, Md. (FOX 5 DC) - Some lawmakers in Montgomery County feel a 2.0 GPA to play sports or activities for high school freshman is just too high. On Tuesday, they proposed to get rid of it.

During a meeting, members of the school board’s policy management committee discussed removing the minimum requirement. They claim that it acts as a barrier to students who could benefit from the group activities.

[Anonymous]

And so, OP, what say you?

[Anonymous]

Either sports are educational and everybody has access to it or it's not educational and we need to get rid of it in schools.

I personally believe it is educational so you don't get kicked out of a "class" for a GPA in other classes.

[Anonymous]

I'm fine with it. I know several boys who were motivated to perform better academically and more able to do so via being on a sports team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And so, OP, what say you?

I'm not really a "sporty" person. But I prefer sports to be separate from academics - similar to what's done in European countries. But if they're connected, then I think kids should keep their grades up.

Sadly, I've been asked by too many teachers in coaching spots to "work with" Student X. (translation - Pass him.) I'm not saying these coaches were the norm, as I've also worked with colleagues who were strict.

thing is this - If a kid "earns" a sports scholarship b/c s/he was passed along, college will kill him/her. And what happens if a kid is hurt? Brains before brawn, I say.

-OP

[Anonymous]

I have a special needs child who has been barred from sports because he is incapable of a 2.0. Even an IEP does not override this requirement. He would have benefited greatly from being able to participate and every single team member agrees. So, I am all for getting rid of it. It’s discriminatory plain and simple.

[Anonymous]

NP. I don’t think freshman should be allowed to play at all. They need to focus on their studies and sleep. Practices for 4 hours a day, six days a week is like a part time job doing hard physical labor. How many of you would let your 14-15 year old son or daughter work 4 hours a day in a feed warehouse stacking bags of pellets?

[Anonymous]

I say get rid of it for JV, but keep it for varsity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. I don’t think freshman should be allowed to play at all. They need to focus on their studies and sleep. Practices for 4 hours a day, six days a week is like a part time job doing hard physical labor. How many of you would let your 14-15 year old son or daughter work 4 hours a day in a feed warehouse stacking bags of pellets?

My 15 yo was working 20 hours at our local ice cream shop during the school year - and more hours over the summer. She's not a sporty kid at all.

There are plenty of kids who can balance out school - as in keeping up grades - and some outside activity, whether that be work or sports. depends on the kid

But once you remove standards, it becomes demoralizing for kids who can find a balance.

Regarding the IEP comment above, there are sports unrelated to schools.

[Anonymous]

Kind of ironic this thread running parallels to the grade inflation thread where everyone supposedly has a 4.0 or higher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And so, OP, what say you?

I'm not really a "sporty" person. But I prefer sports to be separate from academics - similar to what's done in European countries. But if they're connected, then I think kids should keep their grades up.

Sadly, I've been asked by too many teachers in coaching spots to "work with" Student X. (translation - Pass him.) I'm not saying these coaches were the norm, as I've also worked with colleagues who were strict.

thing is this - If a kid "earns" a sports scholarship b/c s/he was passed along, college will kill him/her. And what happens if a kid is hurt? Brains before brawn, I say.

-OP

Kind of like when smart kids with no athletic ability are on the team so he can have a group of friends.

I doubt a kid majoring is Psychology is going to get "killed" in college because his Geometry teacher "passed him along".... which is what happens even if he is not an athlete.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.fox5dc.com/news/lawmakers-propose-universal-freshman-eligibility-for-montgomery-county-public-schools-sports-and-activities

BETHESDA, Md. (FOX 5 DC) - Some lawmakers in Montgomery County feel a 2.0 GPA to play sports or activities for high school freshman is just too high. On Tuesday, they proposed to get rid of it.

During a meeting, members of the school board’s policy management committee discussed removing the minimum requirement. They claim that it acts as a barrier to students who could benefit from the group activities.

Someone at Fox5DC needs to learn that members of the school board's policy management committee are not "lawmakers."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. I don’t think freshman should be allowed to play at all. They need to focus on their studies and sleep. Practices for 4 hours a day, six days a week is like a part time job doing hard physical labor. How many of you would let your 14-15 year old son or daughter work 4 hours a day in a feed warehouse stacking bags of pellets?

My 15 yo was working 20 hours at our local ice cream shop during the school year - and more hours over the summer. She's not a sporty kid at all.

There are plenty of kids who can balance out school - as in keeping up grades - and some outside activity, whether that be work or sports. depends on the kid

But once you remove standards, it becomes demoralizing for kids who can find a balance.

Regarding the IEP comment above, there are sports unrelated to schools.

What is your HHI? Grades correlate with HHI not "trying hard".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. I don’t think freshman should be allowed to play at all. They need to focus on their studies and sleep. Practices for 4 hours a day, six days a week is like a part time job doing hard physical labor. How many of you would let your 14-15 year old son or daughter work 4 hours a day in a feed warehouse stacking bags of pellets?

My 15 yo was working 20 hours at our local ice cream shop during the school year - and more hours over the summer. She's not a sporty kid at all.

There are plenty of kids who can balance out school - as in keeping up grades - and some outside activity, whether that be work or sports. depends on the kid

But once you remove standards, it becomes demoralizing for kids who can find a balance.

Regarding the IEP comment above, there are sports unrelated to schools.

What is your HHI? Grades correlate with HHI not "trying hard".

My kid works hard. She doesn't receive "enrichment" over the summer. We have been saving for college since she was a baby. (And we have a younger one, too.) She is managing to graduate a year early. Her PSAT scores were through the roof - no extra "training" except for Khan Academy on her own.

Our HHI - which is none of your business - has been cut in half, as I'm career transitioning. We live in an area that's much cheaper. But what drew us here were the schools. Kids work, do sports, and manage to keep up their GPAs. Trades are respected. 50% rule? lol - doesn't exist! Reteaching? reassessing? You either act in a proactive manner by asking for help BEFORE it's too late, or you suffer the consequences.

Hard work is what makes her the kid she is - and lots of encouragement. We don't push her. She pushes herself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP. I don’t think freshman should be allowed to play at all. They need to focus on their studies and sleep. Practices for 4 hours a day, six days a week is like a part time job doing hard physical labor. How many of you would let your 14-15 year old son or daughter work 4 hours a day in a feed warehouse stacking bags of pellets?

My 15 yo was working 20 hours at our local ice cream shop during the school year - and more hours over the summer. She's not a sporty kid at all.

There are plenty of kids who can balance out school - as in keeping up grades - and some outside activity, whether that be work or sports. depends on the kid

But once you remove standards, it becomes demoralizing for kids who can find a balance.

Regarding the IEP comment above, there are sports unrelated to schools.

If your 15-year-old asked me, I would tell her: keep your mind on what YOU are doing.

If Kid A is doing school activities even though their grades aren't up, while Kid B's grades are up and they're putting in lots of outside hours, Kid A isn't taking anything away from Kid B.