Home Field Advantage

President's Corner

Like millions of Americans, I cheered as our athletes competed during the 2016 Summer Olympic games in Rio. I may not have been familiar with many of the approximately 550 athletes who made up Team USA, but I still took great pride in their accomplishments — especially the 33 who hailed from my home state of Texas.

Even though we may not have known these “local” athletes personally, we accepted them as our own. By the same token, although we may not personally know the children in our schools, we still accept them, in many cases, as our own. We consider these children and their families part of our caring community.

As I write this column, students are starting to school. For me, the kickoff of a new school year is always a special time and underlines the importance of a caring community. Even though it is hectic, I love to see the families buying the back-to-school clothes and supplies. For some families, unfortunately, this activity is stressful due to economic constraints. Thus, many organizations and media outlets in communities around the country host events that provide clothes and school supplies to struggling families.

Many families, like my own, donate clothing and money. Some businesses and organizations provide free immunizations and haircuts. The start of the school year should be an exciting time. Every student should be excited about going to school, and helping to make sure every student is prepared and equipped contributes to that feeling of excitement.

Additionally, there is a sense of civic pride in contributing and being part of a caring community. This is tightly connected to and serves as a key indicator of the Communities 4 Schools initiative. However, being a caring community goes well beyond providing back-to-school clothes and supplies.

Along with the start of the new school year, something else happens. Our students are involved in a host of co-curricular events, and as they compete in academic and athletic contests, we show up as fans to support them. We cheer for them. We wear T-shirts and make banners. We stand and applaud them. We congratulate them when they win and comfort them when they come up on the short end of the final score or tally. We praise them for giving it their all. We do all we can to encourage them. We are always there for them and they know it.

There is something very real about the term home field advantage. Most teams and players perform better and win more competitions when played on their home field or court. Why is this? As a former competitive athlete, I vividly recall the feeling of pride in defending my home court in basketball and home field in baseball. The slogan, “We must protect this house!” is an authentic feeling athletes have. With the encouragement of supportive fans at home games, they are more highly motivated and might even feel safer and more confident in the familiar environment.

We can give our students the benefit of the home field advantage with our ongoing support. Imagine how much more successful our students can be when we show how much we care for each child in our community and school. Imagine the sense of civic pride we can promote within our children when they see us standing, cheering them on. Imagine their potential for greater accomplishment we can effectuate when we encourage and give each student, each school and each classroom that sense of home field advantage.

We should express the same sentiments for our teachers and all school staff as well.

Join me in creating a community of caring. Let’s work to sustain the pride and joy that children give us so these feelings lift them up. That’s what Communities 4 Schools is all about. And join me in the conversation on Twitter at #tellyourstory.