Last week we highlighted a pair of coaches who were challenging their players to hold each other accountable during the school day. Throughout the week, we’ve learned of other schools and coaches who are encouraging similar habits among their student-athletes. Some schools are even creating new programs that complement the OKC PAL Youth League.
One of our coaches recently told us about his school’s successful efforts to combine athletics and academics. Hillcrest Elementary has implemented a new tutoring program coordinated with their basketball practice schedule. If a student is struggling in a particular subject, he/she isn’t removed from the basketball team. Instead of losing basketball privileges, the student is given a chance to be tutored by a teammate. During a 20-minute pre-practice tutoring session, members of the basketball team help each other gain a better grasp on their classes so they can continue with basketball. After-school peer tutoring requires time, space and unique abilities. It’s wonderful to see all these valuable resources come together. Hillcrest plans to continue the tutoring program when basketball ends and soccer begins. The buddy system still works!
Last week a school employee at Wheeler Elementary told us that her students wore their basketball jerseys to school for some of their yearbook photos. School jerseys can serve as a strong symbol of school pride, unity and camaraderie. Southern Hills Baptist Church recently donated basketballs for the Southern Hills Elementary school basketball teams, so students can take them home and continue to practice. They also provided tennis balls, so students could refine their hand-eye coordination and ball handling skills. Thank you Southern Hills Baptist Church for the generous gifts!
