By Krestin Bahr As we enter the new year in winter, the impact of activities available for children is even more important as the days shorten. Washington indeed needs rain, although those of us who are from here know that the days can seem long, dark and dreary. I have been so impressed that our schools have maximized the opportunity to provide activities and sports for kids after the academic day. In the elementary schools every Tuesday and Thursday, there are clubs and activities such as robotics, art, yoga and babysitting lessons. For a small budget, the staff have developed meaningful and fun ways for kids to be engaged at school with their peers, learning, laughing and leading. I had an opportunity to interview the Eatonville High school cross country team members during their season and was struck by their message of unity, perseverance and leadership. This year, the middle school added a seventh/eighth-grade cross country program and a sixth-grade club program. I was interested in the impact this had on the high school program and more than a bit curious about this great group of kids that we see running in a pack every afternoon. I learned quite a bit during my session with these eager, passionate students:
Why do you like the cross country team at EHS?
"We are a mix of four grades and we work as a team. Cross country is hard. When you sign up, you are not sure what you are getting into. Our coaches help us grow as runners. Any ordinary student can make a great team. We are the only sport which includes the middle school, who we practice with. We have been excited to incorporate them and support them at their meets.GÇ¥
Why do you think this sport is different than others?
"Cross country takes a different mindset. You must be mentally prepared to push your body each and every day. It is more of a mental sport.GÇ¥
What have you learned?
"We have the discipline to train hard. We are more respectful to our teammates. Learning the limits of what our bodies can take. We ran 45 miles a week at the beginning of the season. We are all so unique, but we get along with no drama. We are the only team that has boys and girls on the team. This means we must get along.GÇ¥ (Girls team): "We are focused to keep our spot at state.GÇ¥
Has adding a MS program helped?
"It has helped a lot. It has paid off, as there are 26 students ready to go to the high school. There are no positions, and the finish line is the same for all of us. All members are cheered on as they pass the finish line. It is all based on besting your personal time.GÇ¥
How does school affect the team?
"Grades matter, it is a motivation to keep your grades up. The girls have achieved the highest GPA (grade point average) in their league. We have fun supporting grades and running. We know that we can finish strong and achieve.GÇ¥
How does this sport impact your health?
Two students shared that it changed their lives. One lost 40 pounds. And they developed a mindset that they may not be the fastest runner, but it's all about getting better every day and achieving their goals. Another student runs to build his immune system. Brennan Hall is diabetic and is clear that the daily running improves his immune system so that he is healthier and stronger during the season.
Some thoughts you want me to include?
"We have won every meet in our league, but we are not cocky about this.GÇ¥ "We remain winners, humble and we keep doing it. We realize its hard work and insane, but we know that nobody knows. Don't underestimate that "all we do is run." "Our practice is your punishment.GÇ¥ "It is hard, but anybody could do it if they put their minds to it.GÇ¥ "We keep each other motivated and we are accountable to each other.GÇ¥ "For anyone thinking, just go for it, you won't regret it. This is the best life choice ever.GÇ¥ "Our coaches encourage us to be our very best.GÇ¥ "We are in the best shape of our lives.GÇ¥ "Let's go! Finish strong! Achieve!GÇ¥
I could not say this better myself. Many thanks go out to the two high school coaches, Geoff Olson and Jessica Morrish, who run a quality, competitive program with grace and skill. In addition, a thank you to the new middle school coaches, Ranelle Loftis and Brynn Utela, who are inspiring the middle school students to try a new sport and to succeed. We should be honored to hear such profound lessons from the mouths of our future leaders. Research is clear that mindset, hard work and tackling difficult things in adolescence, such as cross country provides, is the determining factor of a student's success in life. It is not the talent, intelligence or Zip code that is more impactful for a person's success. It is the mindset that a person can work through difficult things with goals and a sense that they can make a difference in their own outcome. Carol Dwek's work from Stanford includes a look at a concept entitled "Mindsets.GÇ¥ The non-cognitive factors that promote long-term learning and achievement can be brought together under the label "academic tenacity.GÇ¥ At its most basic level, academic tenacity is about working hard (and working smart) for a long time. More specifically, academic tenacity is about the mindsets and skills that allow students to look beyond short-term concerns to longer-term or higher-order goals, and to withstand challenges and setbacks to persevere toward these goals. What do academically tenacious students look like? First, they believe that they belong in school academically and socially. School is part of who they are and is seen as a route to future goals, such as providing for their families or contributing to their community or society. Second, they are engaged in learning, view effort positively, and can forego immediate pleasures for the sake of schoolwork. For example, they seek challenging tasks that will help them learn new things, rather than tasks in their comfort zone that require little effort but provide little opportunity to learn. Third, difficulty GÇô be it intellectual or social GÇô does not derail them. They see a setback as an opportunity for learning or a problem to be solved, rather than as a humiliation, a condemnation of their ability or worth, a symbol of future failures, or a confirmation that they do not belong. This is true at the level of a given task and at the level of their studies in general. Tenacious students know how to remain engaged over the long haul and how to deploy new strategies for moving forward effectively. Our cross country students exemplify the hard work that is being done in all of our schools to help all students achieve academic tenacity and to do well in school. Thank you for supporting our schools, this season and throughout the years. I hope you agree that our future is in good hands. Happy New Year 2016.
Krestin Bahr is superintendent of the Eatonville School District.
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