They already have a golf team Wolfgang, and they practice at Pleasant Valley Golf Club....Free of charge too, we donate this to help the school team.
I guess you have all the sports covered. Wouldn’t it be better to have their own golf course though? MarkG thinks polo might work. Tiddly-winks anyone? Can’t we find some sport that SESD doesn’t have that we could spend some money on. Help me. I’m struggling here.
I am so sick of this thread. You’re probably the same folks that get upset when the kids are hanging out on the corners wreaking havoc because there isn’t anything for them to do. Or, you’re on here whining about the skateboarders. What is so awful about trying to raise well rounded kids? While I’m not too happy about my taxes going up. BUT, I’d rather spend the money now on the kids to participate in school activities and prepare for the future then have my taxes go up to pay for more criminals in the prisons and more police needed to cover our area for the increased crime. It has been proven time and time again that kids who are involved in activities at school are better students and have a higher graduation rate. There’s so little for them to do in this town, can’t we offer them choices and give them a reason to have some school pride. For all you sport haters out there, you just have to face the facts that successful sports teams foster a sense of school pride - sorry to dissappoint. Oh and by the way, winning teams get more people come to see them play. Which in turn means more money is being raised through tickets sales, concessions and school paraphenalia. Then guess what, the team becomes self-sustaining and we don’t need to raise taxes. Isn’t it cool how that works?
For all you sport haters out there, you just have to face the facts that successful sports teams foster a sense of school pride - sorry to dissappoint. Oh and by the way, winning teams get more people come to see them play.
I for one am NOT a sport hater. I played sports in school and college AND I even coached HS sports for a few years.
BBM87- No one’s taxes need to go up if you pay for your child’s sports costs. Sorry if you’re tired of this thread, you can ignore it. You can also accept the fact that just because people don’t agree with adding new sports teams during a period of financial instability for the school and the tax base, does not mean that we are sports haters. It can mean many things for many people but it doesn’t mean that we hate sports, for me, I’d just like parents to pay for their kids extracur activities - all of them. Just like when they wanted to play before high school, just like ballet, piano lessons, scouts, etc. It is no different and it is not the responsibility of taxpayers. You may be tired of this thread, but I’m tired of paying for everyone else’s kids to get extra stuff so they might have a better college app. Who helps pay for the kids who are not in the public school system? Do those parents ask for you to pay for their tuition through your tax dollars? Some parents believe that their children’s education, healthcare, clothing, sports, etc are their responsibilty and paying for this crap for everyone else’s kids makes it harder for them to take care of their own responsibilties. I’m tired of the nanny state, and it just keeps getting bigger.
If you think the sports can be self sustained then they need to start off that way.
BBM87- No one’s taxes need to go up if you pay for your child’s sports costs. Sorry if you’re tired of this thread, you can ignore it. You can also accept the fact that just because people don’t agree with adding new sports teams during a period of financial instability for the school and the tax base, does not mean that we are sports haters. It can mean many things for many people but it doesn’t mean that we hate sports, for me, I’d just like parents to pay for their kids extracur activities - all of them. Just like when they wanted to play before high school, just like ballet, piano lessons, scouts, etc. It is no different and it is not the responsibility of taxpayers. You may be tired of this thread, but I’m tired of paying for everyone else’s kids to get extra stuff so they might have a better college app. Who helps pay for the kids who are not in the public school system? Do those parents ask for you to pay for their tuition through your tax dollars? Some parents believe that their children’s education, healthcare, clothing, sports, etc are their responsibilty and paying for this crap for everyone else’s kids makes it harder for them to take care of their own responsibilties. I’m tired of the nanny state, and it just keeps getting bigger.
If you think the sports can be self sustained then they need to start off that way.
Oh, and I forgot to comment on your ‘it takes a village’ comment. You need to take a look at the person who wrote that line that you’ve bought into because though they might say it, but they would never allow their child to be raised by the village. So, it may be a good slogan to get some voters and sell some books but beyond that all you’re hear is, “oh we wish we could send our child to public school but for safety reasons we can’t” .... BULLS***, but people believe it, don’t they? It’s just like good ole Senator St (the coronation is complete right?) Teddy (co-author of NCLB, just in case you didn’t know) having a seizure and being flown to a bigger hospital for testing, I’m sure those of us in the village (including your kids) would get that same treatment, right?
BBM87- No one’s taxes need to go up if you pay for your child’s sports costs. Sorry if you’re tired of this thread, you can ignore it. You can also accept the fact that just because people don’t agree with adding new sports teams during a period of financial instability for the school and the tax base, does not mean that we are sports haters. It can mean many things for many people but it doesn’t mean that we hate sports, for me, I’d just like parents to pay for their kids extracur activities - all of them. Just like when they wanted to play before high school, just like ballet, piano lessons, scouts, etc. It is no different and it is not the responsibility of taxpayers. You may be tired of this thread, but I’m tired of paying for everyone else’s kids to get extra stuff so they might have a better college app. Who helps pay for the kids who are not in the public school system? Do those parents ask for you to pay for their tuition through your tax dollars? Some parents believe that their children’s education, healthcare, clothing, sports, etc are their responsibilty and paying for this crap for everyone else’s kids makes it harder for them to take care of their own responsibilties. I’m tired of the nanny state, and it just keeps getting bigger.
If you think the sports can be self sustained then they need to start off that way.
First, I realize that I could just ignore this thread, but I meant to say, sick of the negative responses. So, forgive me for misspeaking. I like to come on here and find out what’s happening and add my 2 cents every once in a blue moon. I think that people disagreeing makes for healthy banter.
Second, I have no problem paying for my children’s sports. The money I spend on AAU is quite mind numbing. I also have a son who plays lacrosse that did NOT get a team. I will continue to pay for that out of my own pocket. It would just be nice for them to have fields to use. How about some local taxes going to more parks and recreation in this area? Then the school wouldn’t even need to be involved. From what I understand in MD, you pick up the phone, call some government office and say I want a playground, and boom, you get one. I’m not from that state, so I could be wrong - I’m just saying what I’ve heard. Why is it so hard to get rec areas around here?
There can certainly be better ways to handle the finances for the sports at school. I don’t argue that point. Again, I’m just saying that school sports are good for kids. I don’t believe I ever said that it had to be paid for by tax payers dollars. Why not eliminate all school taxes and have parents pay to send kids to school? That would most certainly take care of frivolous spending. It would also hold teachers more accountable and once and for all get rid of the almighty teachers’ unions. I’m not sure when the government decided that they had to be part of education, but I’m sure things haven’t been the same since they stuck their nose in. There has got to be something better than what we have now.
I just felt like this was turning into a bash the school sports thread. The girls lacrosse team should be nothing but proud. School team or not, way to go!!!
I’ve seen the positive thread on the board here and it just seems like you can’t mention SESD without someone coming on here knocking it. There are good things going on there. Perhaps we need to be supportive and positive and it will trickle down to the students - whether or not you like Dr. Shank.
Finally, I’m not sure what my ‘it takes a village...’ comment has to do with Ted Kennedy??? Ted Kennedy is not part of my village and I don’t want him to be. Tying the NCLB bill in with what I was talking about has nothing to do with extracurricular activities.
Finally, I’m not sure what my ‘it takes a village...’ comment has to do with Ted Kennedy??? Ted Kennedy is not part of my village and I don’t want him to be. Tying the NCLB bill in with what I was talking about has nothing to do with extracurricular activities.
I brought up Teddy because it does all relate, whether it is education, healthcare, after school programs, it’s all about the village but those who sell the village don’t live in it, they just mandate it. Though you may not have, many around here bring up NCLB as a significant reason for our high school taxes.
Thank you BBM87! I was feeling the same way! I have 3 kids playing lacrosse and have paid for them to do it for a few years now. It’s a sport they’re decent at and can make the team! We’ve tried basketball, but that seems to be open only to kids who have been playing together for a long time. We’ve tried baseball/softball, and it’s the same thing. I suppose since it’s a relatively new sport (to this area, anyway) it’s ok to start learning in middle school. Otherwise, we got cut or sat on the bench. I don’t mean that negatively, or that I’m complaining about not making the team. I understand it might make sense to put proven producers on the team, but it’s no fun for the kids new to the area, or unknown. When we moved here, I actually had a mother at a basketball open-gym tell me that there was no way my kid would make the team because nobody knows him/her. And she was right! There was no intramural program at that time for them to improve their skills. We as parents strongly believe in getting the kids outside and out of the house away from tv, videos, etc and that sports are a ‘no-brainer’ way to do this. We just had a hard time breaking into the circle, that’s all. So lacrosse provided my kids with a spring sport they could participate in. As for taxes, I pay them too. So does everyone, as far as I know. Is it painful? Yes! But it’s a fact of life. Call your congressman. In the meantime, support the kids and the school and the efforts put forth to make things better. Did you hear how awesome and fun the senior class trip was? Or the senior lock-in? All of that was possible with lots of donations and communty-wide support, including the administration, teachers, parents, and local businesses.
SESD has boosters but I think its either relatively new, or if not new, its just recently become more active in raising money. And I think they have been doing a great job over the last year or so but its a tough thing to do these days (raise money).
Can anyone answer.........does SESD have boosters? Is it a strong booster program?
Yep they sure do..
5coops - 27 May 2008 03:13 PM
SESD has boosters but I think its either relatively new, or if not new, its just recently become more active in raising money. And I think they have been doing a great job over the last year or so but its a tough thing to do these days (raise money).
BBM87- No one’s taxes need to go up if you pay for your child’s sports costs. Sorry if you’re tired of this thread, you can ignore it. You can also accept the fact that just because people don’t agree with adding new sports teams during a period of financial instability for the school and the tax base, does not mean that we are sports haters. It can mean many things for many people but it doesn’t mean that we hate sports, for me, I’d just like parents to pay for their kids extracur activities - all of them. Just like when they wanted to play before high school, just like ballet, piano lessons, scouts, etc. It is no different and it is not the responsibility of taxpayers. You may be tired of this thread, but I’m tired of paying for everyone else’s kids to get extra stuff so they might have a better college app. Who helps pay for the kids who are not in the public school system? Do those parents ask for you to pay for their tuition through your tax dollars? Some parents believe that their children’s education, healthcare, clothing, sports, etc are their responsibilty and paying for this crap for everyone else’s kids makes it harder for them to take care of their own responsibilties. I’m tired of the nanny state, and it just keeps getting bigger.
If you think the sports can be self sustained then they need to start off that way.
A fact is… lacrosse in our district has taken off like a rocket. If anyone is interested in some standing scores for over the past several years from the girls teams in our district I am sure I can gather this up for you. We boarder the md. county that has excelled in this sport for years. Guess what our girls are smearing them. (with only several years undertheir belts) Also one of our lax teams that has not yet made it to high school , but will be there this fall are going to the Lax Splash next wkend a privledged tornament for those who have proven themselves. Did I mention this team went all season unefeated!!! OH yeah they went undefeated all last season and went to the Lax tourn and not only won it, but was undefeatd there too!! There is a great intrest in our district for this sport. These girls are playing *SCHOOLS* fron all over Md, and Pa. Even back when I was in high school there was alot of different sports to choose. We choose to live in this district, we can chose to move. I am not for hgher taxes, but lets face it if its not a tax hike for this it will be for that. Just take a look over the years. We can t escape taxes anywhere you go. Now I do agree in our dist. things have gotten to be way out of controll, but should the children pay for the adults decissions? We have to keep up with the times, or in this case catch up… in this sports intrest. We have good families here and I love my little community. I dont want to hear any others call us Walnut Grove, because we had to play their school through our rec. team because our school wont get a team!!! This could go on back and forth for the rest of the summer, what is it going to do?? Just cause alot of people to become attaked and others to raise the blood pressures. Our kids are what we need to be looking at here. If it helps 12 kids to stay off drugs and the steets then it was well worth it. Our kids need to be proud of where they are from. In teens and children alot of their pride for their community comes from there school stats. If we can stand out as THE KENNARD DALE RAM LAX TEAM!!
and be well known for it, their sense of pride goes up, which results in higher gpa’s (yes it is proven), and which we have a respectable community that others look apon. I am not trying to ruffle feathers here, just giving my thoughts on this matter. Parents we need to give this a closer look, befor we go Lax bashing. It goes way further than tax issues ... Katgirl
