I had the joy, honor and privilege of coaching both the boys and girls teams for basketball this season. And even though both teams had very dissimilar results, each shared very similar growth.
Both teams began the season with around half the team not knowing the rules of the game, let alone how to dribble, perform a layup, or which basket to shoot at.
In addition, our teams were very young playing in a mostly high school league. Our girls team included five seventh graders, one ninth grader, and two tenth graders. Our boys team was made up of three ninth graders, three eighth graders, and two seventh graders.
From day one, both teams showed an increasing understanding of how to play the game (with only an occasional shot at the wrong basket), running an offense, and supporting each other with defense.
Both finished their last games with compliments from both opposing fans and coaches on their improvements as individual players and as a team.
But the one compliment I heard consistently expressed of both the boys and girls was how they never quit. During close games or games where they were down by 30 at the half (and it went downhill from there) the kids kept playing as if this is what you are supposed to do – play your best as an individual and as a team until the buzzer provides the signal to quit.
One team, the boys, completed the season without a win, finishing the season with a lopsided loss to the eventual tournament champion for the league. Characteristically, the boys played as a team, sometimes catching their opponent flat footed with their consistent effort until the end.
The girls won the championship. Opposing coaches and the other team’s families would say this was not the same team they played even three weeks before. And that statement was partially true. Their skills had grown each game in learning their individual roles on the team and doing it well. What had not changed was their selfless spirit and never-quit attitude.
Winning or losing, both teams made my coaching experience this inaugural season my most enjoyable yet. Thank you to the families for how well you have trained your kids and to God, praise for His blessings.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Education Grant Awarded
Congratulations to our middle school/high school science teacher, Mrs. Ihms (who also is my wife). She was one of eight grant recipients of a Valley Forward Earth Fest Education Grant.
Mrs. Ihms and a group of her high school students spend time twice a month supporting a biologist with the Gilbert Riparian Preserve in observing pollinators (bees and butterflies). The data they collect will be used to educate the community on native plants.
The grant money will be used to assist the young scientists in their observations out in the field.
Valley Forward is celebrating its 40th anniversary and describes itself as a “membership driven civic organization that brings business and community leaders together to convene thoughtful public dialogue on regional issues and to improved the environment and quality of life in Valley communities.”
The Gilbert Riparian Preserve exists to promote natural resources and to focus on important environmental issues in Arizona.
Mrs. Ihms and a group of her high school students spend time twice a month supporting a biologist with the Gilbert Riparian Preserve in observing pollinators (bees and butterflies). The data they collect will be used to educate the community on native plants.
The grant money will be used to assist the young scientists in their observations out in the field.
Valley Forward is celebrating its 40th anniversary and describes itself as a “membership driven civic organization that brings business and community leaders together to convene thoughtful public dialogue on regional issues and to improved the environment and quality of life in Valley communities.”
The Gilbert Riparian Preserve exists to promote natural resources and to focus on important environmental issues in Arizona.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Homeschool Support 09-10
Bios Christian Academy is announcing three different programs to support homeschooling parents in the education of their children. All three programs will begin at the start of the 2009-2010 school year.
A two-day primary class (1st – 3rd grades) will be offered on Mondays and Wednesday. Up to sixteen students will spend a full school day, twice a week, learning in eight subjects: geometry with manipulation, physical education, Lego Dacta (physics), music, composition/grammar, art , Spanish, and Bible.
In addition, a two-day elementary class (4th-6th grades) will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The class of up to sixteen students will learn from subjects which include composition/grammar, hands-on science, Lego Technic (physics), geometry with manipulatives, physical education, music, Spanish, art and Bible.
In both the primary and elementary classes there will be no homework assignments.
A separate program we will also begin in 2009-2010 is Bios Christian Academy High School Homeschool Support. Since this is our first year of implementing this type of program, we will limit the number of high school students who can participate to only six total. We hope to expand this program in the future. In this program, each high school student may take one or two classes two days a week. Each class will be in the morning or afternoon for 2.5 periods each class. Families and students will be able to choose from a list of classes available in math, science, English, history, and Spanish. Any prerequisites needed will be decided by the principal.
Tuition is as follows:
Primary $2,000 per student
Elementary $2,000 per student
High School $1,000 per class
For all students there is a $100 registration fee through the end of February 2009. After February the registration fee becomes $250 for the first student in the family and $100 for each student after that.
A two-day primary class (1st – 3rd grades) will be offered on Mondays and Wednesday. Up to sixteen students will spend a full school day, twice a week, learning in eight subjects: geometry with manipulation, physical education, Lego Dacta (physics), music, composition/grammar, art , Spanish, and Bible.
In addition, a two-day elementary class (4th-6th grades) will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The class of up to sixteen students will learn from subjects which include composition/grammar, hands-on science, Lego Technic (physics), geometry with manipulatives, physical education, music, Spanish, art and Bible.
In both the primary and elementary classes there will be no homework assignments.
A separate program we will also begin in 2009-2010 is Bios Christian Academy High School Homeschool Support. Since this is our first year of implementing this type of program, we will limit the number of high school students who can participate to only six total. We hope to expand this program in the future. In this program, each high school student may take one or two classes two days a week. Each class will be in the morning or afternoon for 2.5 periods each class. Families and students will be able to choose from a list of classes available in math, science, English, history, and Spanish. Any prerequisites needed will be decided by the principal.
Tuition is as follows:
Primary $2,000 per student
Elementary $2,000 per student
High School $1,000 per class
For all students there is a $100 registration fee through the end of February 2009. After February the registration fee becomes $250 for the first student in the family and $100 for each student after that.
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