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Meeting Date:
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4/20/2023 - 6:30 PM
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Category:
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New Business and Reports to the Board
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Type:
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Info
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Subject:
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Athletics Program Update
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ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
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Goal 1: Systemic Alignment ACPS will build a culture of continuous improvement and design equitable systems for school and instructional improvement. Goal 2: Instructional Excellence ACPS will ensure that all students have access to and engagement with high-quality instruction. Goal 3: Student Accessibility and Support ACPS will ensure students have equitable access to and engagement with programs and supports that reduce barriers to learning. Goal 4: Strategic Resource Allocation ACPS will strategically provide differentiated resources and supports to schools and departments. Goal 5: Family and Community Engagement ACPS will ensure that all families and community members feel welcomed, respected, and valued.
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Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
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File Attachment:
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Agenda Item Summary:
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This brief summarizes some of the enhancements and additional programming that have been added to the athletic and student activities department since 2019. The Executive Director of Athletics and Student Activities, James Parker, upon starting his position surveyed student athletes, the parents of student athletes and community members to find out what the biggest challenges were with the athletic department. The major consensus was lack of communication, ineffective advertising of tryouts and program offerings, as well as lack of recognition of our student athletes and teams. These concerns were built into the athletic department’s strategic plan and addressed in various ways. Over the last 3 to 5 years a major emphasis has been placed on technology advancements, mass communication methods, student athlete and team recognition programs and staff development. Some of the specific items that have been addressed by the athletic department have been the revitalization of a more user-friendly website, creation of a titan athletics app, the start of a weekly newsletter, strengthening of our social media presence, development of coaching education programs and the adaptation of an athletic department registration system. In addition, the athletic department created recognition programs to highlight our teams and student athletes. These include multi-sport athlete awards and the creation of the titan athletic academic achievement award program. The athletic department is currently doing future planning for the addition of a middle school athletic and student activities program.
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Background:
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The athletic department continues to stay connected with the student athletes they serve, the parents/guardians who support the student athletes, and the Alexandria City community to ensure they are staying on top of their needs and wants. The plan for the Titan Athletic Department is to be the Gold Standard of high school athletics. Currently, our middle school students do not have an option to participate in educational-based athletic programs in the City of Alexandria. The vast majority of the middle school age athletic opportunities in the City of Alexandria are pay to play, which eliminates many of our students from participating in sports. Starting a middle school athletics and competitive student activity program will positively impact the social, emotional and academic learning of middle school students at their most pivotal time in adolescence. Currently, the local school districts that offer middle school athletics programs are Arlington, DCPS, Fairfax, Prince George and Prince William.
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Recommendation:
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The Interim Superintendent recommends that the School Board review the information provided in the Athletics and Student Activities Department update.
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Approvals:
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Recommended By:
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Signed By:
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Dr. Wendy Gonzalez - Chief
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Signed By:
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Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt - Interim Superintendent
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