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A Letter to Bulldog Fans...
We are now well into a new school year. With the new school year brings a sport’s season. Here at Ballard we encourage everyone to be part of the extra-curricular activities. When your child decides to participate in athletics remember that athletics are learning experiences for them. Praise the student/athlete in their attempt to improve themselves as students, as athletes, and as people. In this attempt it is the coach’s responsibility to teach the student the game and the rules and strategies of the game. If the parent is trying to coach the student/athlete at the same time they are going away from what the coach is trying to get from the student and team. All parents want their child to shine, but please do not undermine what the coach is trying to get from them. Respect the judgment and strategy of the coach.
Attending a game is a privilege to observe the contest, not a license to verbally assault others and be generally obnoxious. It helps to learn the rules of the game so that you may understand and appreciate why certain situations take place.
Please also consider the thoughts that our children are bombarded with daily—that winning is considered everything. Help them realize that winning as a goal itself is failure-oriented, because at least half of the participants won’t achieve it. Success is oriented in the development of a skill, and should make a person feel good about themselves—win or lose.
When things are not going well the easy response is to shift the blame. In particular, to shift it away from ourselves to our opponents, or, more often, to the officials. As teacher/coaches we feel it is essential that athletes maintain a positive approach to handling adversity. We need the support of our parent-body, as role models, if we are to accomplish this.
Also, if you or your family attends any Ballard Bulldogs activities, we encourage you to take a moment to talk to your children about the proper way to act as a Ballard Bulldog fan. Please stress to them that running around and horseplay are not acceptable. Expectations are that children watch the activity and be supervised by the adult in attendance. For the safety of all in attendance, games other than those taking place on the court and general play are not allowed.
Please support our students as they do their best and they will accomplish many aspirations in their young lives.
Sincerely,
Ballard Staff and School Board