How to Persuade Junior High Schools to Have Sports Teams
America's youth are considered vastly inactive. This is especially true for teens who, in recent years, have become notorious for zoning out with their MP3 players, cell phones and laptops. They're physically unfit and at higher risk for health problems such as heart disease and diabetes. The need for competitive school sports has never been higher. Unfortunately, neither has the cost. Many districts cannot find it in their budgets to support after-school sports. As a result, students are turning to lazier, and sometimes riskier, after-school activities. The argument in support of junior high school sports can require some convincing.
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Instructions
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Determine who you need to address. The Board of Education is likely to be involved with district budgeting. Join the Parent Teacher Organization or attend a PTO meeting to gain access to decision-making and strategy sessions. Enlist the support of parents, teachers, administrators and even the community, as school budgets are more likely to pass when the voters feel a vested interest in the programs.
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Gather statistical data and case studies showing the benefits of sports on middle school students. Visit your local library or conduct research online to compare the statistics of your district to local, regional and national data. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education offers links to information on funding, statistics and trends on a state-by-state basis on their website.
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Contact your elected officials, in writing or by telephone or email, to ask for their support of sports in schools. The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance has a link on their website to elected officials by locale. Enter your zip code for the contact information of your legislator.
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- Photo Credit goal and scoreboard image by robert lerich from Fotolia.com
