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RVA Game Break Preview: Armstrong Wildcats
08/22/2016 6:20 AM by John M
Zach Long at RVA Game Break has a great preview of the 2016 Armstrong Wildcats:
Marlin Osborne will be the player to keep an eye on this season for Armstrong. Coach Anderson says he is hard worker and is usually the first player in the weight room. Coach Anderson also says he is soft spoken, but that doesn’t limit his ability on the field. “He is knowledgeable of the game, and has intangibles that are instinctive that you can’t coach.” Playing all over the field, Osborne can make an impact for the Wildcats in many ways this season.
— ∮∮∮ —
2016 Armstrong Wildcats Football Schedule
| 8/26 | 7:00 PM | George Wythe |
| 9/2 | 7:00 PM | Thomas Jefferson |
| 9/9 | 7:00 PM | John Marshall |
| 9/23 | 7:00 PM | @Highland Springs |
| 9/30 | 7:00 PM | Lee-Davis |
| 10/7 | 7:00 PM | Henrico |
| 10/14 | 7:00 PM | @Patrick Henry |
| 10/21 | 7:00 PM | Varina |
| 10/28 | 7:00 PM | @Hanover |
| 11/4 | 7:00 PM | @Atlee |
Considering the SOL pass rates at Armstrong, the community should not be encouraging sports. Sports are not going to result is breaking the cycle of poverty for these students.
we’ve had this conversation before http://chpn.net/2016/01/30/accreditation-denied-at-mlk-middle-school/#comment-1162769
I’d argue the exact opposite.
While the test scores are bad, the problem isn’t that the students’ can’t read or write. The issue, in my experience, is behavior and a lack of focus (by the student) and structure (homelife).
Involvement in anything positive outside of the classroom/home both gives the student another way to learn responsibility and being part of something larger than themselves, and another area where they can succeed individually.
Involvement with a team also offers the student access to another adult in their life who can be a positive, stable force.
I know we have had this conversation before, unfortunately I think we are will have to disagree on the long term benefits. The extracurricular activities and another adult role model in their life apparently has had no impact as demonstrated by the SOL scores, which demonstrates precisely that the students can’t read or write.
I will grant you that extracurricular activities may delay or even end the cycle of generational incarceration, but without basic skills the cycle of poverty is never ending. Perpetuating the idea that sports are a path out of poverty is a disservice to these students.
These are extracurricular activities, to be performed or enjoyed as an extra, after the foundational objectives of the three “Rs” have been achieved.
There is a large body of academic research that shows physical activity is beneficial to students’ learning and demonstrates how sports, in particular, help students develop socially, emotionally and academically.
Personally, I think all kids deserve enriching opportunities that don’t come with a standardized test score. However, in most RPS schools students cannot play extracurricular sports if they are failing their classes.
We shouldn’t want to limit opportunities for Armstrong students who are passing just because their classmates struggle.
Sarah, you hit the nail on the head! Students are unable to participate in sports if they don’t have the grades. Neighbor, students don’t need to read your negative comments. By the way, what have you contributed to the community to help those students increase SOL scores.
Sports are fun for many, improve physical fitness and promote teamwork. sometimes sports teams Can be part of the glue that binds a community. So what is your real problem neighbor?
Why would you want to give energetic youth a physical outlet, why would you want to give kids who are from different neighborhoods a chance to work together, why would you want kids to learn the lessons of sportsmanship, dedication, and work, why would you want to give the schools current students and it’s graduates something to bond over, why would you want to give the community something to be proud of, why indeed? Go get ‘em Wildcats