When you ask a child what their favorite part of school is, most will say something outside the classroom, such as basketball, marching band, or quiz bowl. And if you ask why these co-curricular activities are their favorite, the answer is usually simple. They are fun.
People often associate fun with being trivial or unimportant. But ask these kids a follow-up question: “What makes being on the basketball or quiz bowl team so fun?” What you will hear is how meaningful these activities are to their growth and development. These responses highlight why the Bowling Green City School Levy must pass.
- For young children, fun is simply doing the activity: “Soccer is fun because I like soccer.”
- Elementary-age kids enjoy the social aspect: “I have fun because I get to be with my friends.”
- By late elementary school, fun comes from learning new skills: “It’s fun because I’m learning different ways to do math.”
- Middle and high schoolers find fun in challenging themselves: “I enjoy competing with myself and others to improve.”
Kids instinctively know that these activities are more than just fun. What they might not realize is how they provide other powerful benefits, such as:
- A greater sense of belonging
- Higher levels of school engagement
- Enhanced life skills
- Healthier habits
Our entire community thrives when our children experience the benefits of co-curricular activities. These programs teach values like teamwork and leadership – skills that stay with kids for life. For instance, a high school FFA member learns discipline and perseverance, later using those skills to mentor younger kids at the Wood County Fair. As they grow, the FFA member becomes an engaged citizen and neighbor who gives back, strengthening the Bowling Green district for everyone. The National Federation of State High Schools supports this idea, stating that high school activity programs offer an incredible investment for only making up 1-3% of a high school’s budget,[i].
It’s up to us to make sure these opportunities stay available for the children in our community. By voting “Yes” on the Bowling Green City School Levy, you’re investing in their futures and in the future of our towns. Your support ensures that our schools can continue providing these essential activities with many benefits.
Together, we can make a lasting impact. Let’s strengthen our schools, support our kids, and create communities we’re all proud to be part of. Vote “Yes” on the Bowling Green City School Levy
Jennifer Waldron
Bowling Green
[i] https://nfhs.org/media/4119479/nfhs-_the-case-for-high-school-activities.pdf
