GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP

Athletics, as a part of our activities program at Franklin Public Schools, are an extension of our academic program. Students get the privilege of acting out the values they have learned in the classroom. Parents and coaches can work together to ensure a positive experience for their students and school.

Coaches at Franklin look at, and are mainly concern with how our teams perform day in and day out. Our coaches will undoubtedly try to help your son/daughter individually because their individual skills, and improvement of those skills, play a major role in the success of the team. Putting a team on the court/field that will be competitive and work together as a unit is the goal of varsity athletics.

Occasionally some parents have trouble seeing things from a team perspective. They love their child so much, want the best for them, and want them to be so successful that they get a case of tunnel vision and see things from an individual perspective. In a team sport this causes conflicts. It is natural for parents to want the best for their children, but I hope you see where this can cause conflicts. I can guarantee you that our coaches want what is best for your student as much as you do, so please keep this in mind at all times.

I would expect parents to respect our coaches’ decisions; encourage your son/daughter and support them and our program as much as you can. Your son/daughter will need your physical and psychological support in order to reach his/her potential. You must be there not only to share and enjoy the successes, but also to help ease disappointments. Avoid criticizing your son/daughter and their performance. If criticism is necessary, it should always be put in a positive statement to encourage improvement.

Please refrain from criticizing the coaching staff in front of your son/daughter. This puts negative thoughts in their heads and makes them more difficult to coach because these negative thoughts work on pulling their attitude down. Everyone is going to question coaching decisions, strategy, and philosophy-that is natural, we do it with every game we watch. Second-guessing is half the fun of watching. But running down the coaches in front of your child or in the stands, does nothing to help our program or your son’s/daughter’s desire to play the game to their full potential. I’m not asking you to do this for the school, but for your child.

If your child comes home with concerns, or if you have concerns, about the team or activity they are participating in please follow this procedure:

  • Encourage your son or daughter to talk with the coach or sponsor. This encourages a mature adult attitude to resolving difference and concerns through direct communication.

  • If you have concerns, please make an appointment to meet with the coach or sponsor about your concerns. Please do not approach the coach before, during, or after the game.

  • If you have gone through these two steps and your concerns are still not resolved, make an appointment to meet with Mr. Boettcher, Activities Director.

Many times parents will express the concern that they are afraid to talk to a coach or teacher because of the possible repercussion to their child. I guarantee there will be no negative consequences to any of our students because their parents spoke with a coach, sponsor or teacher.

All of us want what is best for our students. We simply need to work together to make this year’s activity program the best. Feel free to call or stop by if you have any questions.

Dr. Candace Conradt

Superintendent