Superintendent Press Release January 12, 2024
Dear Cedar Bluffs Families,
Welcome back to School – well sort of, it keeps snowing and is determined to not let us get into a regular rhythm. The new kitchen is up and running, and although we still have finishing touches the added space has been incredible. One of the most notable things I hear from all the staff is just how quiet the new cafeteria eating space is and I would contribute that to just the sure size. In our previous space, if we had 200 students eating, you couldn’t hear the person standing next to you. The bus loop was not completed due to the weather, so we are still passing through part of the new parking lot to load and unload students, but the new parking lot has added 33 new parking spaces. Please do NOT park along East Elm Street on the North side of our buildings when you are waiting to pick kids up. Now that the new parking lot in front of the new building is open, it should open plenty of parking for everyone on the South side of the school.
High school athletic programs provide so many benefits for our students. Early studies focused on how athletics helped foster a collective identity and generated pride for participants and community members. These studies evolved to clarify how participation brought about improvements in physical health, stress management and academic benchmarks. Today, there are numerous studies that focus on all types of participation benefits, but what sometimes goes unappreciated is the impact that high school athletics has on students after they graduate.
Participating in high school athletics has long-lasting, definitive benefits, especially when athletic leaders and communities create an environment that challenges and rewards the growth mindset. When participants are supported in this way, they develop lifelong habits that transcend high school.
One thing that gets in the way of a growth mindset is blaming others for lack of success. Student athletes who blame the coach, blame the officials, or blame their team mates never have to be held accountable for failing. They never have to improve because it was “someone” or “something” else’s fault. When a student athlete says, “I would have won that game if it wasn’t for the officials” they set themselves up for a lifetime of blaming others and some parents only reinforce this belief with bad fan behavior. Furthermore, when we blame others for our lack of success it takes away the opportunity for that athlete to overcome adversity. Bad coaching or bad officiating is part of every game, even at the highest level. Teams that overcome adversity and still find success don’t dwell on one call, one missed step, they set themselves up for success by being internally motivated to overcome all obstacles. Parents can help with this too! Don’t let your student athlete play the blame game and be a good role model for overcoming adversity.
Have a great weekend!
Wildcat Pride!