Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Joplin R-8 considering combining sports at all three middle schools

(From Joplin Schools)

The Joplin Schools Athletic Department invites you to an Athletics Parent Forum.

The purpose of the forum will be to discuss with the parents of our middle school athletes a proposal to combine the teams of all three Joplin Middle Schools into one Joplin team in the future.

The forum will begin at North Middle School, Wednesday, January 25 at 6:00pm in the Auditorium, at East Middle School, Monday, January 30 at 6:00pm, in the Auditorium, at South Middle School, Wednesday, February 1 at 6:00pm, in the Auditorium.

Parents of Middle School athletes and parents of 6th graders who plan to participate in athletics are strongly encouraged to attend. We are looking forward to hearing your opinions on the matter.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

The high school coach....can't remember his name....should be fighting this tooth and nail.

Anonymous said...

Why?

Anonymous said...

@6:28 AM, not that I disbelieve you, but specifically why should the high school coach fight this?

Anonymous said...

I could care less what the high school coaches should be fighting. The parents and citizens should be. There are approximately 2500 students in Joplin High school since the combining of Parkwood and Memorial. The egos at the top thought it would make a great school. It didn't. Morale and participation in many sports has dropped. There are now half as many athletes going out for the sports. Look at the numbers the Webb City High team puts on the field for games, vs Joplin. Now you eliminate the numbers at the Jr High level, and many of these kids won't even be finished with puberty and growing into their bodies and learning their skills, before they chance to try it is gone......

Bad Move Joplin..... But hey.... I cheer for Webb....

Anonymous said...

Although I don't have a child this age, I believe this could be bad for the students. Studies show that students who are involved in some type of activity are less likely to drop out. By combining sports, you have eliminated possibilities for participation from many students. It also eliminates the "marginal" players from ever having a chance to be part of the team because there are so many players who are already there and are better than they are.

And if you combine the teams, will you also combine into one marching band for middle school?

My vote would be to say no to combining.

Anonymous said...

IMO - they should have a "varsity" 8th grade team which would be a district wide team of East, North, and South. They should also have B teams of 8th grade that is a separate East, North, and a South. They should keep 7th grade as the same. And yes, honestly they should consider doing some combined band, orchestras and choir activities within the district. The HS band will never be as strong as it should or could be until the Middle Schools get on board with making an effective schedule for the band directors to collaborate and work together.

Anonymous said...

Heck why don't they just build 1 big middle school?? Good enough for the high school kids. Glad I got my kids out of rape-high!!!

Anonymous said...

Joplin sports, like the district, continues to circle the drain.

Anonymous said...

So then why do you care?

Anonymous said...

Because it is funny to see them make the same mistakes over and over. They used to be good at sports with 2 high schools now they aren't even relevant.