I had written a column a few years ago questioning whether the school district really cared about both of its high schools. I asserted that the priority list of SFPS, especially when it comes to athletics, is this:
1. Santa Fe High School
2. Santa Fe High School
3. See Nos. 1 and 2, then repeat.
4. Capital High School.
So yesterday, the district issues a release regarding the hiring of a new head girls basketball and girls soccer coach at Santa Fe High. About 10 days earlier, Capital High School hired a new head boys basketball coach. No release was issued (perhaps because the story was broken before it could be written, but that doesn't change the bottom line).
Perhaps I am being cynical here, but how does one pair of hirings get mentioned, but another not? Again, it could be because we broke the Capital High story, but if that hadn't happened, would SFPS have given it the same due consideration?
Just food for thought.
Jun 10, 2009
Jun 4, 2009
NorthStars discussion
The end of the school year might be upon us, but it isn't quite complete - in The New Mexican's eyes – until we've unveiled our athletes of the year selections in our NorthStars section, which will be done Saturday.
It's a year-long process as well, and something we discuss as much in earnest in November as well as in April and May. Now that our end-of-year section is available for public consumption, it's time for you to send us your feedback.
Happy with our selections? Feel that we overlooked a deserving candidate? Or that we chose poorly in a sport? Whatever your feelings are about the section, we would like to know what you think. So, step right up and tell us your feelings and give us your candidates for the 2008-09 school year.
We won't scrap it and do it over again, but at least you have this forum to express yourself. And we at The New Mexican look forward to hearing from you.
It's a year-long process as well, and something we discuss as much in earnest in November as well as in April and May. Now that our end-of-year section is available for public consumption, it's time for you to send us your feedback.
Happy with our selections? Feel that we overlooked a deserving candidate? Or that we chose poorly in a sport? Whatever your feelings are about the section, we would like to know what you think. So, step right up and tell us your feelings and give us your candidates for the 2008-09 school year.
We won't scrap it and do it over again, but at least you have this forum to express yourself. And we at The New Mexican look forward to hearing from you.
Jun 3, 2009
NMAA realignment proposal meets its deadline
Earlier today, the New Mexico Activities Association approved classification and alignment proposal, which covers a four-year block start with the 2010-2011 school year. The meeting today gave schools a last-ditch effort to appeal their placements, which the entire District 2AAA
schools did as a group. It is being split up with St. Michael's, Pojoaque and Santa Fe Indian School leaving for 4AAA, which will include Albuquerque schools Hope Christian and Sandia Preparatory.
The district was represented by the athletic directors from St. Michael's (Tom Manning), Pojoaque (Matt Martinez), West Las Vegas (Jose Medina) and Las Vegas Robertson (Mike Yara), and they argued that the breakup of the district would hurt the six member schools significantly in gate receipts that help fund the schools' athletic programs. Manning said whatever transportation savings that the three schools might realize will be offset by the loss of revenue for district games.
It did not change their fate, as the board kept that portion of the proposal intact.
So, there will be quite a few changes and moves that will affect northern schools, if you haven't heard already.
Here are the highlights:
*Santa Fe High will move from Class AAAAA to AAAA and takes residence in District 2AAAA along with Los Alamos, Capital, Bernalillo and Española Valley.
*Coincidentally, Taos High will move from AAAA to AAA and into 2AAA, where it will compete with Las Vegas Robertson, West Las Vegas and Raton.
*Santa Fe Indian School is scheduled to shed its independent status in football, but there are questions about whether it will continue to play the sport. Also, Albuquerque Academy will be in 4AAA for football.
*In AA, District 3AA and 4AA essentially will be merged into one, with Questa and McCurdy School (of 3AA) dropping into Class A. Mesa Vista, which also was scheduled to move down a class before electing to play up, gets shuffled into District 7AA with Cuba, Dulce and Jemez Valley. Also moving down is Coronado
*New Mexico School for the Deaf and Santa Fe Waldorf will participate in a new class - B - in volleyball and and basketball. They will be in District 2B.
schools did as a group. It is being split up with St. Michael's, Pojoaque and Santa Fe Indian School leaving for 4AAA, which will include Albuquerque schools Hope Christian and Sandia Preparatory.
The district was represented by the athletic directors from St. Michael's (Tom Manning), Pojoaque (Matt Martinez), West Las Vegas (Jose Medina) and Las Vegas Robertson (Mike Yara), and they argued that the breakup of the district would hurt the six member schools significantly in gate receipts that help fund the schools' athletic programs. Manning said whatever transportation savings that the three schools might realize will be offset by the loss of revenue for district games.
It did not change their fate, as the board kept that portion of the proposal intact.
So, there will be quite a few changes and moves that will affect northern schools, if you haven't heard already.
Here are the highlights:
*Santa Fe High will move from Class AAAAA to AAAA and takes residence in District 2AAAA along with Los Alamos, Capital, Bernalillo and Española Valley.
*Coincidentally, Taos High will move from AAAA to AAA and into 2AAA, where it will compete with Las Vegas Robertson, West Las Vegas and Raton.
*Santa Fe Indian School is scheduled to shed its independent status in football, but there are questions about whether it will continue to play the sport. Also, Albuquerque Academy will be in 4AAA for football.
*In AA, District 3AA and 4AA essentially will be merged into one, with Questa and McCurdy School (of 3AA) dropping into Class A. Mesa Vista, which also was scheduled to move down a class before electing to play up, gets shuffled into District 7AA with Cuba, Dulce and Jemez Valley. Also moving down is Coronado
*New Mexico School for the Deaf and Santa Fe Waldorf will participate in a new class - B - in volleyball and and basketball. They will be in District 2B.
May 19, 2009
Two weeks? It's been that long?
I blame the economy. It will be my standard answer until this darn recession is over.
Well, a lot has happened since May 6. I could spend some time recounting the ways, but if you've seen my bylines over the last week or so, you know where I've been. And I have a lovely tan to show for it.
But no T-shirts, never a T-shirt.
What I would like to do is spend some time again pleading with the Santa Fe Public Schools to not do two things:
- Get rid of middle school athletics in lieu of an intramural program.
- Get rid of your high school athletic managers.
Yes, I am biased when it comes to sports, but I will add this. I feel that every teenager needs to be involved in some sort of after-school activity. It doesn't matter if it is athletics or if it's band, drama, mock trial, chess, lacrosse, fencing or even choir. What matters is that these programs are there for kids. And not just for a select few - all students.
These programs do more than keep kids off the couch and away from trouble. They promote the general qualities all young people need to learn and acquire before they head out to the real world.
Such as:
- Learning to function within a group.
- Growing their social and networking skills.
- Giving them opportunities to develop interests that could lead them down the path of a viable career. Or even a good hobby.
- Instilling self-confidence.
- Learning how to adapt, drive and overcome obstacles.
- Dealing with failure and how to cope with it.
Those skills help produce not only better quality students, but also better quality human beings. So often, we complain about the things that people do or don't do, and many of them are simple things that we were taught growing up.
Like respect.
Or sympathy.
How about understanding?
And maybe even taking action?
We see so little of those qualities nowadays, and I blame the loss of those because of the sedentary and sometimes nomadic nature that teenagers have learned over the decades. And I believe it comes from the lack of interaction they have with their fellow peers and with adults who are there to help instill the core values of what a community should be about.
As for the athletic managers, my defense is simple.
If you've ever wondered why an event ever goes off smoothly - or not - look at the athletic manager/director.
If you've ever enjoyed an event - or didn't - regardless of the outcome on the field, look at the athletic manager/director.
If you've ever thought about all the little things it takes to make an athletic event function, talk to an athletic manager/director.
If you ever want to see who is the first person in the gym and the last one there at night, ask an athletic manager/director.
It may seem like a gift title where all you get to do is watch games, matches and meets, but so much more goes on than the naked eye.
I wish somebody would tell the school board about the long hours a good athletic manager log - perhaps Joe Moulton, who has been the rock of Gibraltar at Capital High. A good athletic program is the product of a good athletic department leader.
It might seem like the head coach and the players make the difference, but a coach can focus on his duties on the court or field because a good athletic manager takes care of the little things.
Like equipment.
Uniforms.
Transportation.
Scheduling.
Meal money.
Booster club management.
Financial accountability.
In short, an athletic manager - or director, or coordinator, or whatever the title - does the things that go unnoticed by the casual fan - or administrator - but are appreciated by those in the know.
Without them, athletic programs fall apart.
Without them, Capital and Santa Fe High are going to find out how.
It might be worth the savings now, but you'll pay more for it in a few years.
When everyone is laughing at how pathetic those two programs become.
You've been warned, SFPS.
You've been warned.
Well, a lot has happened since May 6. I could spend some time recounting the ways, but if you've seen my bylines over the last week or so, you know where I've been. And I have a lovely tan to show for it.
But no T-shirts, never a T-shirt.
What I would like to do is spend some time again pleading with the Santa Fe Public Schools to not do two things:
- Get rid of middle school athletics in lieu of an intramural program.
- Get rid of your high school athletic managers.
Yes, I am biased when it comes to sports, but I will add this. I feel that every teenager needs to be involved in some sort of after-school activity. It doesn't matter if it is athletics or if it's band, drama, mock trial, chess, lacrosse, fencing or even choir. What matters is that these programs are there for kids. And not just for a select few - all students.
These programs do more than keep kids off the couch and away from trouble. They promote the general qualities all young people need to learn and acquire before they head out to the real world.
Such as:
- Learning to function within a group.
- Growing their social and networking skills.
- Giving them opportunities to develop interests that could lead them down the path of a viable career. Or even a good hobby.
- Instilling self-confidence.
- Learning how to adapt, drive and overcome obstacles.
- Dealing with failure and how to cope with it.
Those skills help produce not only better quality students, but also better quality human beings. So often, we complain about the things that people do or don't do, and many of them are simple things that we were taught growing up.
Like respect.
Or sympathy.
How about understanding?
And maybe even taking action?
We see so little of those qualities nowadays, and I blame the loss of those because of the sedentary and sometimes nomadic nature that teenagers have learned over the decades. And I believe it comes from the lack of interaction they have with their fellow peers and with adults who are there to help instill the core values of what a community should be about.
As for the athletic managers, my defense is simple.
If you've ever wondered why an event ever goes off smoothly - or not - look at the athletic manager/director.
If you've ever enjoyed an event - or didn't - regardless of the outcome on the field, look at the athletic manager/director.
If you've ever thought about all the little things it takes to make an athletic event function, talk to an athletic manager/director.
If you ever want to see who is the first person in the gym and the last one there at night, ask an athletic manager/director.
It may seem like a gift title where all you get to do is watch games, matches and meets, but so much more goes on than the naked eye.
I wish somebody would tell the school board about the long hours a good athletic manager log - perhaps Joe Moulton, who has been the rock of Gibraltar at Capital High. A good athletic program is the product of a good athletic department leader.
It might seem like the head coach and the players make the difference, but a coach can focus on his duties on the court or field because a good athletic manager takes care of the little things.
Like equipment.
Uniforms.
Transportation.
Scheduling.
Meal money.
Booster club management.
Financial accountability.
In short, an athletic manager - or director, or coordinator, or whatever the title - does the things that go unnoticed by the casual fan - or administrator - but are appreciated by those in the know.
Without them, athletic programs fall apart.
Without them, Capital and Santa Fe High are going to find out how.
It might be worth the savings now, but you'll pay more for it in a few years.
When everyone is laughing at how pathetic those two programs become.
You've been warned, SFPS.
You've been warned.
May 6, 2009
Stop reading if you're already heard but ...
athletics around the state resumed activity Wednesday. It occurred after the 15 schools that were closed due to concerns over the swine flu epidemic were given clearance to re-open.
Here is a story from the Associated Press regarding the decision.
The New Mexican will have a story on the impact it will have in Santa Fe and the north.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NM_SWINE_FLU_NMAA_NMOL-?SITE=NMSAN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Here is a story from the Associated Press regarding the decision.
The New Mexican will have a story on the impact it will have in Santa Fe and the north.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NM_SWINE_FLU_NMAA_NMOL-?SITE=NMSAN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
May 3, 2009
Athletic activities canceled for this week
In response to new cases of the Swine flu breaking out in the Socorro, Lordsbug, Carlsbad and Deming areas, those school districts have canceled school for a week. The New Mexico Activities Association responded by suspending athletic events for the coming week.
So the small-school track meets, team tennis, and the first round of state baseball will be delayed at least by a week. Regular season golf, softball and big school track and field also will cease competition.
Also, schools will not be allowed to practice during this time. I will have a story on local reaction to the cancellation in Monday's New Mexican.
So the small-school track meets, team tennis, and the first round of state baseball will be delayed at least by a week. Regular season golf, softball and big school track and field also will cease competition.
Also, schools will not be allowed to practice during this time. I will have a story on local reaction to the cancellation in Monday's New Mexican.
Apr 29, 2009
The trouble with athletics and Santa Fe Public Schools
To say that Santa Fe Public Schools has been mismanaged is like saying the Titanic should have seen that iceberg coming. It's apparent to everyone.
There are no easy answers for SFPS when facing a huge budget crunch. But if there is a way to preserve a component of middle school athletics - and activities, for that matter - please do it. While coaches and administrators are wringing their hands over the prospect of seeing middle school programs altered (perhaps forever?), let's hope they do not lose sight that athletics are not gone.
Just in a different format. Plenty of question exists about how a middle school intramural system (How would it be structured? Where would coaches and officials come from, especially if it's done on a volunteer basis? How would the kids - and it's always about the kids, right? - get to those events? How would the cost of maintaining fields and courts and having them available be paid?) But the most important part is that it's still there.
The alternative can be viewed just 55 miles to the south in Albuquerque, where middle school sports' demise came in 1981. Since then, only middle school basketball has been funded by Albuquerque Public Schools, but district athletic director Ken Barreras has seen its effect.
There is no school spirit or a connection between the feeder middle schools and their high school parents.
Students struggle to maintain interest in school, especially those who lack the ability to pay to play in the Young American Football League, or AAU basketball, or club soccer, volleyball, softball and baseball.
Truancy rates have risen.
The athletes who do participate often lack fundamental skills and spend the first couple of years trying to catch up.
That could be the future of Santa Fe Public Schools if it's not careful.
If it's going to do intramurals, it has to be done right.
Or else ...
There are no easy answers for SFPS when facing a huge budget crunch. But if there is a way to preserve a component of middle school athletics - and activities, for that matter - please do it. While coaches and administrators are wringing their hands over the prospect of seeing middle school programs altered (perhaps forever?), let's hope they do not lose sight that athletics are not gone.
Just in a different format. Plenty of question exists about how a middle school intramural system (How would it be structured? Where would coaches and officials come from, especially if it's done on a volunteer basis? How would the kids - and it's always about the kids, right? - get to those events? How would the cost of maintaining fields and courts and having them available be paid?) But the most important part is that it's still there.
The alternative can be viewed just 55 miles to the south in Albuquerque, where middle school sports' demise came in 1981. Since then, only middle school basketball has been funded by Albuquerque Public Schools, but district athletic director Ken Barreras has seen its effect.
There is no school spirit or a connection between the feeder middle schools and their high school parents.
Students struggle to maintain interest in school, especially those who lack the ability to pay to play in the Young American Football League, or AAU basketball, or club soccer, volleyball, softball and baseball.
Truancy rates have risen.
The athletes who do participate often lack fundamental skills and spend the first couple of years trying to catch up.
That could be the future of Santa Fe Public Schools if it's not careful.
If it's going to do intramurals, it has to be done right.
Or else ...
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