The first year of middle school is always a big step. Students are exposed to many new interests, and they often want to experience several. Now at St. Cloud Area School District 742, sixth grade students will have the exciting opportunity to try many different sports through a new Sports Sampler Program.
“The reason why they [District 742] wanted to have the Sports Sampler was to have a sixth grade option of our sports that are offered [grades] 7-12,” explains Megan Chatterton, activities coordinator at South Junior High School. “What we did with each season is took those activities and put them into the sampler. For example, tennis, cross country and swimming.”
Each season the Sports Sampler will consist of three sports for students to try for six weeks. Each season is divided into three two-week stints of a different sport. Students are then introduced to each sport. They learn the basics, practice and have a friendly competition with their crosstown peers. North Junior High School and Kennedy Community School students are combined into one team and play against South Junior High School. The program exposes students who’ve never had the opportunity to be in organized sports to a variety of offerings.
“In the winter, they’ll be able to try Nordic skiing, swimming again (since there is a boy’s and girl’s season) wrestling or dance/gymnastics,” shares Chatterton. “In the spring, tennis, lacrosse and golf will be offered.”
Previously, sports were limited to soccer, volleyball, track, basketball, baseball and softball. The Sports Sampler gives more options to students who may have interest in trying the other sports which makes an easier transition into all the offerings in seventh grade.
“We’re really trying right now to increase our numbers across the board into activities … and some of these sports are overlooked,” says Chatterton. “I think this program is two-fold [exposure and participation].”
The sampler also matches the high school programs to this program.
“For instance, the tennis kids on their last day will compete at Apollo,” says Chatterton. “So, we’re going to host it at the high school with the high school programs but also have those high school kids officiate, cheer and work the matches to try to make that connection with our younger athletes and our high school program. The hope would be by the next year they fall in love with a program.”
The funds for the Sports Sampler came from District 742’s education foundation, LEAF (Local Education and Activities Foundation) as well as from local sponsorships. Transportation is provided so all students can attend. The YES Network then provides a meal to all after-school program participants. It’s easy to sign-up! Families simply fill out the registration form found on the activities page of North, South or Kennedy websites and then turn it into their school office.
The Sports Sampler is just one more way sixth grade students can experience a successful transition to middle school.
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