It has taken me quite a while to decide whether D2D is something I would support or oppose.
Neutrality on the D2D was quite comfortable as long as it was something that I thought was being totally paid for with private contributions .... then lo and behold .... there are all kinds of tax dollars involved ---- did I miss something ---- was I imagining that D2D was a private undertaking being donated to the school via Private Contributions ?
The overwhelming deciding factor for me, however, was reading one of Steve Koczela's blogs and the attached correspondence from the D2D Committee. The excerpt that caught my attention follows:
"Why Support D2D?"
" You should support D2D if you believe our schools are a significant, contributing factor to the health of our community. You should support this initiative if you are tired of the academic program cuts in our schools. You should support D2D if you believe in physical education or combating the rising problem of childhood obesity. "
I do not believe that our schools do much of anything regarding physical education for the average student !
I base this belief on my own observation at the Community Fitness Center, which is used by the students as part of their physical education. Seeing the effort --- actually Lack Of Effort --- that the average student puts out in these phy ed classes is pathetic !!
The students pretend to exercise --- mostly they socialize. Their collective sweat doesn't appear to be enough to warrant the washing of even one T shirt --- not to mention that their clothing doesn't seem to have to do much with exercise or exertion.
When I had first made these observations a few years ago, I learned a few secrets of Shorewood HS Phy Ed, that may or may not be true today.
1) Students don't bother to wear athletic work out clothes during Phy Ed, because they do not intend to sweat.
2) Students do not intend to sweat because then they would have to take a shower after Phy Ed --- and they don't want to do so.
3) The HS charges a special separate fee to each parent of each student, which originally was intended to cover the cost of towels for the students, for using when they took their showers after Phy Ed.
4) The HS no longer distributes said towels that they charge for, because the students do not take showers, because they don't sweat.
Now I understand that D2D is not designed for the average student. It is designed for teams that would use that type of facility. I also understand that is a very small percentage of the students who attend Shorewood HS ---- and therefore I am against using any tax money for an elitist facility.
I would much rather see our tax dollars go for real Physical Education that at least produces a sweat on the kids.
If we really want to reduce childhood obesity ...
May I suggest starting each day with a one mile run, followed by some calesthenics. And maybe a couple of times a week, some throwing and catching to work on hand / eye coordination !!
COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM READERS ON D2D
1) "You should support this initiative if you are tired of the academic program cuts in our schools. You should support D2D if you believe in physical education or combating the rising problem of childhood obesity." ...from the D2D Committee.
My response to that is, are we not talking about a facility...which is separate from any actual programs involving phy. ed. or addressing obesity? I'm not sure any programs are being cut because money is being diverted to upkeep or updating of the present athletic facilities!
That said, I agree that the field, concessions and seating have needed to be addressed
for quite a long time and a privately funded initiative like this is a good idea. However, please...scrap the dome!
And Dave, re: throwing and catching for hand/eye coordination;
isn't that what video games are for?
-Jim Genthe
-Shorewood Resident
Response to Jim:
Hi Jim
Please note that now THERE IS TAX MONEY INVOLVED -- at the very least, a proposed $600,000 from the village ......... also, the D2D committee is saying that this will help childhood obesity --------
I think you are on to something though --- just think how many video games we can buy kids in Shorewood for $600,000 --- Shorewood kids will have the best wrist actions in the world !!
Dave
2) Sean.Cummings@brunswickbilliards.com wrote:
Dear Dave,
I appreciate your comments as posted on NOW and agreed with the need to place a greater emphasis on physical education in Shorewood. However, I would also like to suggest a few reasons why the D2D project is a cost effective use of public funds and would benefit the entire community and not just the jocks. It is my belief, as a former urban planner, that many social trends can be understood by looking a
