Extracurricular activities seem to be a plus as it pertains to keeping the youth inspired for their futures. Whether it's basket ball, softball, or even a girls & boys club the children that are involved seem to be the ones that advance academically. Due to the requirements that are needed in order to become apart of any of the activities or clubs many students GPA's fall behind which puts them in a position of not being able to participate. Vincent Joseph football coach and substitute teacher of Victor Herbert elementary school on the West side of Chicago says "When a child feels like he or she is apart of a team it really builds their self esteem, "I love to see the smiles on their faces." Vincent also mentioned that something as small as a jersey with the child's name and number really gets them excited, the child feels as if they belong to something good.
Some of the extracurricular activities that you will find in the inner city schools are the common football, basketball, softball and volleyball, unlike those that are found in some suburban schools like lacrosse, cross country, and tennis, however according to Soft ball coach Clement Greco at The Chicago Bulls Urban Prep Charter High School formally known as Best Practice--sports in general are very rewarding to the student. Clement Greco has been a coach for 17 years and admits that he has witnessed a difference in the children who are involved in after school sports. Clement explained that there needs to be more of an investment and more organized structure in order to keep the students focused and involved.
Many of the schools have cheerleading for the young ladies and clubs that help young women and men to deal with peer pressure and furthering there education, like Crane's P.E.A.R.L & S.A.S.S.Y which helps young ladies to become women. According to Bennie Horton attendance and Athletic Director of Crane Technical Prep high school on the West side of Chicago the children who are not involved in extracurricular activities are usually the children who have poor grades and low attendance, but those who are involved are usually those who excel to greater heights in terms of secondary education and in their careers. Crane's after school programs even provide those who are involved with extracurricular activities with a meal in order to keep the youth focused on their extracurricular performance and to let them know that they are loved and cared for within their school. As in the words of Mr. Bennie Horton "We are trying to create the image of, "It takes a village to raise a child."
2008 Crane Technical Prep. graduate Don Lewis also agrees that extracurricular activities are very important for the youth to have access to in school because it gives the students something to do, it keeps them out of fights, out of the streets, and involved. Don also added that if there weren't any extracurricular activities, many students would become very distracted and drop our of school. Percy Harris student of Crane said "I believe that if more students had work study and jobs provided for them, those who have dropped out would get off of the streets and go back to school, "jobs are what we need." With the study done by the Consortium on Chicago School Research providing information on Chicago's dropout rate being at 50% it would be imaginable that extracurricular activities would be top priority in order to keep our youth focused and on the right track. But with the city's economic downfall Vincent Joseph football coach at Victor Herbert elementary school states that "There has been major cutbacks on funds for extracurricular activities for many schools and many aren't dedicated to the cause." As each schools circumstances are different in terms of funding still all professional participating parties do agree that there has been some major financial cutbacks and admit that more of an investment is needed for today and the future of the youth.
James Jordan Boys & Girls Club Director Don Reed has hands on experience with the children of the West side community as the Victor Herbert elementary school has a partnership with the club. Mr. Reed says that there are plenty of after school activities for the children to be involved in however, a child shouldn't be forced to participate because the children who really want to participate are easily distracted. But how do we account for the other children who are not so easily disciplined, focused, and able to take on challenges? Don believes that these children do need programs that are more geared and centered towards their specific needs, however due to major financial cut backs, not only are there many program cut backs but the funds aren't available for new programs that will help many of the forgotten youth.
If you are reading this column and would like to add a resource to this column for a child, please post your resource in the comment box and I will be sure to post it in order for child to be saved academically. It could be as little as a phone number, website, or email address. For more information about the James Jordan Boys & Girls Club call 312-226-2323 or log on to
www.bgcc.org. Contact Your Childs School Today, And Get Them Involved! For More Information About CPS's Extracurricular Activities Call CPS And Inquire At (773) 553-1000
Posted By: Talibah Bakhit
Wednesday, March 3rd 2010 at 10:55AM
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