October 13, 2005
Illinois high schools are joining the country in celebrating the 26th Annual Observance of National High School Activities Week, October 16-22, 2005.
"Activities Week provides schools and the association the opportunity to recognize young people, their coaches and sponsors, and their communities for all their efforts in helping students become better citizens," said IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman.
Last year over 320,000 boys and girls participated in high school sports in Illinois. When compared to the percentage of the overall school budget dedicated for high school sports, sports and activities are an exceptional bargain. According to the final 2004 budget for the Chicago Board of Education, less than 0.2% of the total budget is dedicated to high school sports programs ($6.5 million out of a $3.84 billion budget).
Even more important are the educational experiences which activities provide Illinois students. School activities are really laboratory courses in physical and emotional development. School activities programs develop future community leaders.
Numerous studies have shown that participants in high school athletic and fine arts activity programs excel in a variety of ways and that high school activities are not a diversion but rather an extension of a good educational program. Students participating in activities programs tend to have higher grade-point averages, better attendance records, lower dropout rates and fewer discipline problems than students that are not involved in activities do.
The Illinois High School Association is urging community groups to support the week by any means they have. This might include raising funds for school activities, planning programs which highlight school activities, and promoting attendance at school events. Groups interested in learning how they might assist the school in promoting Activities Week or the activities program in general should contact their local school principal or activities director.
Activities Week Schedule
Radio Stations -- Please follow these links to MP3 files you can use to promote National Activities Week.