Dr. Jorgensen Highland Highlights - November
October 21, 2019
Highland Highlights
I attended Marshalltown High School, which at the time was the third largest high school in the state of Iowa behind Des Moines Lincoln and Davenport Central. I never thought anything about it at the time as that was the only high school experience that I knew. I graduated with a class of 528 kids and there were kids who crossed the stage with me that I didn’t know. I was focused on sports and never really worried about being involved in anything else. I was fortunate that I was a good enough athlete that I was able to participate in three sports on a varsity level. I didn’t realize at the time how rare and fortunate I was that I was able to do so. High School was grades 10-12. In Junior High, I was also involved in band, but when I reached 10th grade, Marching Band practice and cross country practice were at the same time. There was no compromise, you had to make a choice. For me, that choice was easy, but I remember how upset my Mother was when I dropped band.
Years later after getting a chance to work in a variety of sizes of school districts, I have been able to observe and evaluate what I believe to be the right size of school for my own kids. I realize the value of students being involved in several extra-curricular activities and appreciate the fact in small, rural school districts, efforts are made to collaborate with different coaches/directors so that kids get the opportunity to participate and be shared rather than having to make a choice. Research evidence and studies are conclusive that kids that are involved in a variety of school’s activities tend to do better in school and on the post-secondary level.
I am currently coaching a middle school cross-country team at a fairly large school district in California. I have a great group of girls who are doing extremely well, winning all meets so far with two to go (knock on wood). I recently had a conversation with a couple of my young ladies, speaking to them about what I thought would be good events for them to run during the track season in the spring. How disappointed I was to hear them say that track was not an option because they want to be a part of the musical and practices are at the same time. In fact, musical practice starts in November so that participation in winter and spring sports are not possible. While I understand why that needs to be the case, I find it very discouraging on a middle school level that kids have to make those choices.
My wife and I made a conscious choice to have our kids graduate from a small, rural school district. I had opportunities to move on but chose to stay until my kids had graduated. We wanted them to be exposed to Speech, Band, Vocal, Musical, Mock Trial, Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Softball. Both daughters participated in all of these events. In fact, the youngest also juggled cross country and volleyball in the same season for a couple of years. The district they graduated from was so similar to the Highland CSD. I think this is the primary reason that I felt such a kinship to Highland even though I was only an interim Superintendent for one year. I appreciate the way that coaches/sponsors go out of the way to share students so that they get a great opportunity to participate.
I clearly understand the advantages and disadvantages of all size districts. I appreciate the survival of the fitness mentality of larger school districts and how many opportunities in academic studies are available beyond what there are in a small district. Every family (parent) has to make those choices for their own children. I can state without reservation that for my family, the life in a small rural school district was the right choice and one without regret.
