Work Hard, Be Successful, Have Fun (A Lot of Fun!)

Work Hard, Be Successful, Have Fun (A Lot of Fun!)

 

Just like everyone else in this country I have been to a lot of school related functions outside of the classroom. Some of these events have been well attended, some have been sparsely attended. Many events have been exciting and memorable while some have been a nonexistent memory.

What makes the events more exciting? What do we do to connect and promote spirit to our stakeholders?

Last night, we had our 15th Annual Renaissance Blue/Gold Basketball Game. This event has been consistently one of our most well attended, school spirited, community-connected events in the history of our school. Consistency of attendance is a key factor because numerous events may be exhilarating one year then meagerly attended the next year.

Our first year, we had students against staffulty. We had about fifty people attend including the players. Even though the game was competitive, it was a take it or leave it event for most of the school community. Over the next few years, we gained momentum but it just did not have the feel of a major event.

We wanted to create a “super bowl/world series” type of hype that shaped our school as the center of the community. We came up with a brilliant idea that helped catapult this game to a much anticipated community-wide happening. Instead of “us” versus “them” we created a “we.” The teams were drafted with students and staffulty on each team: a gold team and a blue team.

Now we could promote collegiality. Everyone in our school could promote themselves together with their role models. The hysteria starts weeks in advance as both students and staffulty anticipate which team will draft them. As long as they are in good character and academic standing, we allow all eighth graders to sign up (that’s our highest grade level).

Another key component of our success is the commitment from everyone involved. We literally have 80% of our staffulty show up to either play, facilitate ticket collection, work the spirit shop, work the snack bar, or contribute to crowd safety. This includes a large number of parents. And do not forget our mascot patrol. The day of the event is amazing.

Everyone in our school wears blue or gold (our school colors), paints their faces, wears a wig, or some other type of advertising. You can feel the buildup when you walk down the hallways, enter a classroom, or enter the building. Our principal, (me), even wears a gold lamé suit with one of his several pairs of gold shoes. “Sweet”, as my daughter would say.

That night, our gym is packed with six hundred people (and it only holds 500). Please do not tell the fire marshal. Blue and gold colors permeate from the walls as the deafening crowd competes for air time. Music from a student DJ pumps up the volume.

We always have several service learning projects leading up to the game. This year we donated $2,400 to the center for grieving children and $500 to Breast Cancer Awareness along with a canned food drive.

The game is always a close one down to the wire. Everyone gets a chance to play. Many alumni attend the event. That is always another measure of our success. Another degree of accomplishment is the number of smiles we see. They are innumerable!

Another great part about the game itself is the effort. My personal, game goal is always not to get hurt but I cannot help to dive for a ball when I see the unsung heroes giving “all out” effort. Many of these students never get the opportunity to perform in front of a large crowd. Everyone deserves that chance, and we give it to them.

In times of educational reform, education bashing, doing more with less, and high stakes testing, I salute the greatness in our community to put kids first, create an environment where everyone can connect, and allow our school to never forget the value of fun.

Sincerely,

“A Proud Principal”