Headlines From The Nation's Press

Each week we open the show with some of the most glaring and reoccurring stories chronicling the ugliness surrounding youth sports organized by adults; issues pertaining to our children's health and education. These headlines clap like thunder across the country signaling a warning to parents, coaches, administrators, lawmakers, and community stakeholders that widespread change is imperative.

My good friend, and frequent guest on the show, Professor Doug Abrams of the College of Law at the University of Missouri, will add you to his daily mailing list of these stories. Simply email Doug and ask him to add your name to the list.

The Weekly High School Sports Report - Expanded

Michael Hoffer, Sports Editor for the Forecaster, will report on high school sports, focusing on the "minor sports." We won't just be reporting scores and game results, but we'll focus on the kids who train hard and participate in those sports that receive less adult and media involvement. That said, Michael will keep us informed of all post season playoffs and tournament results, as well as behind-the-scenes and human interest happenings.

The Main(e) Event

The Great Maine Schools Project has been working with high schools in Maine to provide rigorous, equitable, and personalized learning for all students so that when they graduate they are ready for college, work, and citizenship.  Searsport District High School, located on the coast just north of Belfast, has embraced this challenge whole heartedly. 

My guests will include Gregg Palmer, Principal of Searsport District High School, and Hillary Hoyt and Kayla Garcelon, students at Searsport District High School. We will also be joined by Jim Schwellenbach, attorney with Drummond, Woodsum, and MacMahon.

Several years ago, they formed a sister school partnership with the Urban Assembly for Law and Justice in Brooklyn, a public high school in Brooklyn, New York.  This partnership provides students from both schools with decidedly different cultural, social, academic, and geographic experiences, which to date have proven to be very successful.

Searsport’s relationship with the School for Law & Justice led to a local partnership with the Portland-based law firm of Drummond, Woodsum, and MacMahon, which specializes in education law.  This fall, students from both schools convened at the law firm to conduct a day-long mock trial of a landmark Supreme Court case. 

Students spent months preparing for this trial.  Each had specific roles – researching case law, examining constitutional issues, and determining how each of the Justices would approach the issues.  Lawyers from Drummond & Woodsum participated as well, offering technical expertise and support and assessing student performance.

Searsport’s partnership with the School for Law & Justice and Drummond & Woodsum is the epitome of relevant and rigorous learning.  Join us as we discuss this exciting and innovative experience and other equally impressive features of this Great Maine Schools Project.

Podcast Update

I'm experimenting with Podcasting the weekly show. Since I'm self-taught, the learning curve is steep at this point. Nevertheless, there are three "sample clips" of the show that can be listened to and downloaded at:

 http://www.thecenterforkidsfirst.org/Podcasts.htm

I would appreciate any and all feedback, especially with regards to which player your browser used, i.e. Windows Media Player, Quick Time, etc. Were you able to download and save the file? How long did it take to download/play? What was the quality of the sound?

Once I figure out the best way to do this, anyone, anywhere will be able to listen to the show whenever it is convenient.

The Coaching Tip Of The Week

Remember: 1) These are just kids. Don't treat them like adults.  2) Make no mistake! It's about them having fun. Not you! It's not your game, so be sure you don't take it away from them. 3) First and foremost, you are a teacher and a role model. The most important lessons you teach will have nothing to do with the game you are coaching.

This week's Tip: Visit the website, use the "Coaching Tips" link or just click on the link below to see my Tips for Coaches. These tips come from my 48 hour Coaching Development Workshop and have nothing to do with X's and O's or game winning strategies. These tips are all about your professional and personal development as a teacher of kids who happen to be organized for playing a sport.

http://www.thecenterforkidsfirst.org/CoachTipsArchives.htm

The Parent Trap

Check out my blog on Mainetoday.com for some interesting articles, and comments from readers.

 http://www.mainetoday.com/kidsfamily/blogs/kidsfirst/008162.html Your comments are appreciated and wanted.

We invite our listeners to call in and share their views.

Listeners can take part in the show by calling:

207-775-2217 or 1-866-811-9505.

or email me during the show at:

Regis@thecenterforkidsfirst.org