Supporting Our Student-Athletes and Programs

To Parents of Students Involved in Extracurricular Activities

Supporting Our Student-Athletes and Programs

The district recognizes recent discussions surrounding our extracurricular programs and appreciates this opportunity to share insight and highlight the value these programs bring to our students.

The Importance of Extracurricular Activities

First and foremost, we believe deeply in the importance of student participation in extracurricular activities, including football, band, choir, basketball, volleyball, spirit squads, and other clubs and activities. When we decided to establish the Freshman Academy instead of expanding Junior North and Junior South, the goal was to preserve as many North and South programs as possible. This choice was made to ensure opportunities for student participation across as many extracurricular activities as possible, not just athletics.

We are proud to report that we now have more students involved in extracurricular activities than ever before. Engaging students in these programs is crucial, as research shows that students who participate in extracurricular activities tend to have better attendance, improved academic performance, and fewer behavior issues. These programs offer significant benefits, such as teaching teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and resilience. While not every student will be a starter, being part of a team is about much more than playing time; it’s about involvement, contribution, and personal growth.

The Impact of Negativity on Students, Coaches, and Sponsors

We ask parents to be mindful of their behavior and language regarding our coaches, student-athletes, and programs, as negativity can impact staff and students who work hard to represent our school and community. Our coaches are dedicated to winning but also prioritize the skill development and well-being of each student-athlete. If parents have a negative disposition toward coaches or the program, their children may adopt similar attitudes, which can affect their experience and growth.

While we are proud of our programs, we understand there are always ways to improve. We are willing to listen and are open to feedback. If you have concerns, we encourage you to reach out directly and constructively to coaches, and you are also welcome to contact district administration if needed.

Our Conference Decision and Panther Competitive Spirit

We recently decided to join a new junior high conference, enabling our split-grade teams in all sports to compete against schools with similar enrollments. This decision was made with the best interests of our students in mind—ensuring fair competition while maximizing participation. Contrary to claims that we changed conferences solely to win, our goal was to provide competitive opportunities with teams of comparable sizes to each junior high. If our focus were solely on winning, we would have followed the lead of other larger schools and consolidated our teams into one, thereby eliminating many opportunities for student participation.

In our region, other schools have opted for a "powerhouse" junior high model with one team concentrating on elite players, leaving more students on the sidelines. We disagree with this approach and believe in providing as many students as possible the chance to contribute, learn, and grow through participation.

Despite dividing our junior high football program into four 7th-grade teams and two 8th and 9th-grade programs, our varsity football program remains competitive. Since 2019, our Cabot Panthers High School football team has consistently proven itself, advancing to the state semifinals in 2020 and 2022 and the quarterfinals in 2021 and 2023. Our current team is facing significant challenges with injuries, an expected part of any season, but rest assured that all our student-athletes are being coached, developed, supported, and mentored.

A Final Thought: Supporting Our Kids Through Their Journey

As we navigate this season, let’s remember that our kids are only kids once. Every moment, whether a victory or a challenge, helps shape them into the people they will become. Instead of focusing on reasons to be upset or frustrated, let’s encourage and uplift them. Being a student-athlete is not easy, requiring dedication and resilience to balance academics and athletics. The last thing they need to hear is negativity.

More importantly, the life lessons gained from participating in athletics and activities, such as teamwork, perseverance, leadership, and how to handle both success and setbacks, are far more valuable than any final score. These lessons will support them in facing future challenges and thriving well beyond high school. Isn’t that what truly matters?

Let’s work together to create an environment that builds them up and shows them that their growth and effort do matter.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our students.

Go Panthers!