MPS AD Trent Tucker discusses the importance of athletics in MPS - How does this fit in with South High School? (Meeting reminder - South HS Media Ctr - 10/26/16 5:30 pm)
Hi Everyone, A friend of mine heard this interview on WCCO 830 this past Friday afternoon. It is a timely example of why we should continue to press for an equitable and safe field for South High School. MPS Athletic Director Trent Tucker was interviewed by WCCO’s Mike Max on the John Williams Show. I have asked Mr. Tucker to weigh in on the largest school with the worst field in his District, but have yet to hear from him. This interview is the closest we have. The first audio clip is Mr. Tucker praising the graduation rates and GPA of MPS athletes. MPS athletes are graduating at a 98.9% rate, along with a 3.1 GPA. While Mr. Tucker didn’t have the general graduation rates, MPS lists a 64.3% graduation rate on its website. Mr. Tucker also goes on to talk about how athletics helps a student gain "life skills”, be “unselfish”, how to “respect others”, “give of yourself" and be part of the team. All attributes in the “Social Emotional Learning” (SEL) that Superintendent Graff and others have hoped to utilize in schools. MPS Athletic Director Trent Tucker on MPS athletes 98.9% graduation rates, 3.1 GPA and how athletics is instrumental in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) <wcco-tucker-10-21-16 grad_athl_sel.mp3> (2:02) In the second audio clip, Mr. Tucker is asked about the value of good teams in MPS. He states that “athletics is the front porch of any school district”. Well, our front porch is an embarrassment. Listen to other schools when they chant, “You’re so ratchet!”. I had to ask what that meant. A quick google search says this. [Ratchet [is] used to describe someone means nasty, ghetto or trifling. Ratchet also means a situation or process that is perceived to be deteriorating or changing steadily in a series of irreversible steps. It is used as a term for something low class or deteriorated.] This is the South High School’s front porch and that’s not OK. It doesn’t build esteem, pride or positive expectations and it doesn’t welcome. Mr. Tucker goes on to talk about the “galvanizing” effect it has upon a community, ie. North HS, and how it engages students to take their academics more seriously, learning to trust others and others learning to trust them. He also mentions the increase in participation in MPS athletics. MPS Athletic Director Trent Tucker on the value of good teams in MPS, “athletics is the front porch of any school district”. <wcco-tucker-10-21-16 athletics_front porch.mp3> (2:04) What this tells me is how important athletics is for the students and for the school community. How we should be wanting more students to participate in athletics, participate in life, participate with others, participate in academic success. Mr. Aponte and Mr. McNeal want to see more participation in athletics at South. We can see why, but MPS has NO long-term plan to help South High School benefit from all the wonderful attributes that athletics brings a student, a school and a community. Please help us let MPS know that the current situation at South High athletic facilities is not OK, it is not safe, it is not equitable. Let MPS know before they do anything, ie building on the 20th/21st Lakes Street block adjoining South, that might jeopardize the future of the South High School Campus. MPS, South High School needs a long-term plan, first! Pass this along AND the invitation (attached below) to meet with MPS leadership at the South High School Media Center this Wednesday, Oct. 26th from 5:30-6:30 pm. Questions and texts are welcome. I hope to see you there. Thank you, Scott Schluter [email protected] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South High School Meeting Wednesday October 26th, 2016 5:30-6:30 pm South High Media Center South High is invited to attend a meeting with Minneapolis Public School leaders to discuss the impact of the proposed MPS building on the block adjacent to the SHS athletic field. How that proposed building affects the lack of any long-term plan for the South High campus and athletic field is the focus of this meeting. As the largest school in the MPS District, we have heard rumors of plans for a new field and a new track, ones that are safe and regulation correct. We would like equitable facilities that are on par with other MPS high schools. We have even heard mention from MPS leaders of an entire new school building for South. What are the long-term plans? What is important now and in the future? How does the short-term plan of building on the 20th/21st block of Lake Street affect the fact that there is no long-term plan for the South High School Campus? This is our time to ask our questions. I hope to see you there. Feel welcome to email or text questions. Thank you, Scott Schluter (South High parent) [email protected] Scheduled Guests Superintendent Ed Graff --- [email protected] MPS Board Director Siad Ali --- [email protected] MPS Board Director Carla Bates --- [email protected] MPS Board Director Tracine Asberry --- [email protected] MPS Executive Director of Facilities Mark Bollinger --- [email protected] MPS Deputy Chief of Schools Steve Flisk --- [email protected] South High Principal Ray Aponte --- [email protected] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Then entire interview with MPS AD Trent Tucker and WCCO’s Mike Max on the John William’s Show, WCCO Radio, 830, 10-21-16 http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/audio/the-john-williams-show/
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