School Policies Concerning Sports and Extracurricular Activities

Although my husband and I don't have any kids at the high school, we are still avid supporters of high school sports. Over the last several years we've noticed a trend in high school sports and extracurricular activities that has somewhat troubled us. According to school policy, students in our district are allowed to participate in as many activities as they'd like. This includes activities that may or may not conflict with one another. For example, during football games we noticed that a few of the cheerleaders were also flag girls in the band. During half-time they leave the sidelines in order to participate in the half-time show. Even more shocking is the fact that one of the football players is also a member of the marching band. He too leaves the football team to join the band during the half-time show. This means that he misses the majority of the coaches halftime talk.

Should students be allowed to participate in extra-curricular activities simultaneously, even if schedules conflict? Oftentimes school administrators leave the decision to the coach or advisor. Possibly coaches and advisors feel pressured to say yes either by the student, parent or administration. Nonetheless, in my opinion, where there is a schedule conflict, students should have to choose; here is why.

When Students Participate In Multiple Activities At The Same Time Their Interest And Focus Is Divided

At an earlier age, students should be encouraged to try various sports and activities to see what they most enjoy. But, when they get to the high school or varsity level, it is important that they focus. I think of the phrase, "jack of all trades, master of none". If students participate in activities at the same time, are they able to devote themselves completely to one activity or are their interests divided? Think of the football player who misses the half-time meeting because he's playing in the band. Is this fair to his team? Can he give his best to the band or the football team?

Allowing Students To Participate In Multiple Activities Simultaneously Hinders Their Learning To Make Decisions

As an adult, we've all had to make choices. Oftentimes these choices are an either or. Will you buy the house in the suburbs, or the condo in the city? Except in rare cases, you'll have to make a definitive decision because you can't live in both. Will you accept the job with ABC Corporation or XYZ Corporation? Obviously, you can't work for both, so you'll have to choose which offer to take. In reality, this policy does not aid in teaching children to make decisions. Instead students are led to believe that they can have all of their choices. They can live in both the suburbs and the city. And, they can work for ABC Corporation and then run over to XYZ corporation and work for them on their lunch hour.

I know of many kids who play basketball in the winter, and run track in the spring. This is no problem as participating in these two sports is not a conflict. In fact, the basketball season is fully over in our district before the track season even begins. It is also not a problem for students to be members of two committees or clubs such as the Yearbook Committee or German Club. In most cases these two organizations will not be meeting at the same time; thus the student can be fully committed to each organization.