Keep funding for more than classroom studies

During any school budget season, but especially this one with talk of consolidations and economic efficiencies taking the fore more than ever, it’s important to step back and take a hard look at the students who are being educated in our school systems and observe objectively what is positively affecting their experiences there. The need to save money is understood by every taxpayer, but educating our young people  in all facets of their lives should also be valued, and budgets should be crafted accordingly.

One of the first areas cut when looking for savings is funding for extracurricular activities. But that is often the time when students can experiment with different interests that they may not otherwise have an opportunity to do, from sports to art to theater to music and more. The time spent outside the classroom during students’ formative years can send them in a direction in life that they would not have had open to them, making for a fuller and more enjoyable life once school is behind them. And isn’t it better if such activities are organized by talented and professional people in any field of interest, offered at or funded by the schools?

Take Housatonic Valley Regional High School and their sports teams right now. This is a small school in comparison with other schools in the area and the state, reflecting a smaller population here, yet their girls varsity basketball team had an undefeated season and went on to the state tournaments. And the boys hockey team, which is made up of students from four schools in the region including HVRHS, took home the Berkshire Cup this past weekend. The school is known for trying to offer a wide range of sports to its students, and it’s clear that can turn into winning teams that give their players confidence, skill and the ability to work well with others. These things are not always learned in the classroom, at least not in quite the same way. 

Right now students are in rehearsal for their spring show, “Rip Van Winkle,” an original musical by longtime Housy theater supporter Michael Berkeley, who is directing the play and working with a team of other adults who will guide students through the process of putting on a show this year. The Housatonic Musical Theatre Society, founded in 2003 by Berkeley and Lori Belter, receives funding for the program primarily from sponsors, fundraising projects, ticket sales, program ads, special events, and donations, according to its website, www.hmts.org. But it should not be overlooked by the school budget, and neither should other arts organizations that fill in the cultural gaps left by budget cuts over the years. 

Even the Housatonic agricultural program, which is part of the school curriculum but also encompasses extra-curricular activities, should not be seen as expendable. Take a look at last week’s FFA Week banner in this newspaper to learn about their goals and their mission, which are intertwined with the history and future of environmental and farm-based initiatives in this region and across the country.

All of these projects that happen outside the classroom should be carefully evaluated and valued for what they can bring to students in addition to the academics they learn in more formal settings. Let our area students experience a range of opportunities while they have the time to do so during their school years.