L.E.A.P. 4 Athletes

L.E.A.P. for Athletes


INTRODUCTION

I have been a teacher of several athletes for twelve years and I’ve noticed that majority of them were academically-challenged and had not performed well in academics. The advisory class I handled last year and the one I am handling right now have a high number of athletes, and the experience of being with them everyday gives me a significant information on how to address their situation. They have been in this situation not because of their inability to learn but because of their everyday training and regular competitions that sap their energy, take away their time and focus in studying and reviewing their lessons.

It is in this context that leads me to decide that the program I implemented in my class LS 305 last school year can also help them improve in their academic performance. I am proposing “L.E.A.P. for Athletes” which stands for Lasallian Education Assistance Program for Athletes. This simple program aims: (1) to provide academic assistance to academically-challenged athletes through tutoring, mentoring and coaching, (2) to improve the academic performance of the athletes, and (3) to inculcate the value of formal education in achieving their goal to succeed as an athlete.

The said program would also give the academic community the opportunity to share their time, effort, and energy with the academically-challenged athletes in the Integrated school; and at the same time addressing the clamor of some parents to have a clear academic program for the athletes in Senior Learning Community.

I believe that having this kind of program, we would be able to provide a holistic formation of our athletes following the popular Latin maxim: “Mens sana in corpore sano”—which means “ A sound mind in a sound body.” It is also imperative to all of us to respond to the need of these young Lasallian athletes who continually give their very best performance during sports competition.

Process of Implementation

1. The author submits and proposes the program to the Vice-Chancellor for Mission, Sports Director, Principal, and Assistant Principal for deliberation and approval, and to the PENCIL, Inc. for whatever assistance it can give to the program.
2. The I.S. academic council will articulate on the details of the program and come up with various ways of providing academic mentors, tutors, and coaches for the athletes.
3. If possible, the Academic Council will appoint one academic adviser for the athletes whose function is to monitor the grades of the athletes, and provide necessary information to the Council for a needed intervention. S/he informs the athletes to regularly attend the sessions.
4. Budget for the program is needed for paying tutors and the teachers who will conduct remedial sessions for the academically-challenged athletes.

5. The program will follow the schedule below:

A. The academic adviser informs the athletes to attend tutoring or remedial sessions.
B. There should be at least 3 sessions a week to be held in a designated room.
C. The subjects to be reviewed for the day will be determined by the academic adviser based on the students’ academic performance.
D. A minimum of 30 minutes will be allotted for each session that starts at 12:10 to 12:40.
E. The assigned teacher/s in a particular subject area will facilitate the remedial, review, mentoring sessions for the athletes.
F. The Academic Adviser will inform subject teachers about the program so that they could be of help in providing feedbacks on the students’ performance in their subject area.

Prepared by:

Raul Paras
CL Teacher
PENCIL, Inc. Representative-Level 9

January 18, 2010

Issue # 1 : Graft and Corruption

Since last week I have been discussing the various issues that our country is facing today, and in order to know the opinion of my students about the topic I asked them to participate in the survey by voting and expressing their thoughts about the top problem that should be addressed first by the government. After the poll's closing time, graft and corruption got the highest votes and the students believed that the said problem is the root cause of all other problems in the Philippine society. The opinions of my students on graft and corruption reflect the stand of the Church about the issue by saying that: “Graft and corruption is our country’s biggest problem right now”. To give support to this issue, I am posting in full an article written by Msgr. Socrates Villegas, former Bishop of Balanga, to invite us to do something and find a solution to the issue of graft and corruption in the government.

“To steal is wrong. It is a crime. It is a sin. When stealing is done by those high up in power and authority, it carries a greater culpability. The corruption of the best is the worst. The social problem of graft and corruption in public life in our country has reached abominable and embarrassing proportions. How shall we describe graft and corruption in our country? It is systemic. It is rewarding. It hurts the poor the most.
Graft and corruption is systemic and structural. It is not only individual or isolated persons who corrupt and get corrupted. The present system—the elected and the electors, the employers and the employees, the appointed and the appointing powers—has become so corrupt that what we do need is a radical, systemic, interior change. Changing personages through the electoral process or even through legal processes like impeachment and court suits will not necessarily result in reform unless there is a willingness to change from the heart and soul. Pinning our hopes on legal processes unaccompanied by conversion from within will lead us to nowhere but deeper frustrations. We can hear the protest “Tama na. Sobra na. Alis na.. Kami naman!”. It is important that those who investigate or prosecute corrupt officials will not gain political or financial benefits from convicting or absolving the accused.
Graft and corruption is rewarding and rewarded. It is hardly punished. The politicization of the judiciary and the perennial rumors about rogues in robes are problems we need to address urgently. Vigilance is lacking... Political will is weak. Prosecution plays favorites. The penal system is flawed. Pardon and clemency is cheap. Among our people, there is an increasing level of tolerance for corrupt officials. Corruption does not seem to anger many of us anymore. We are not outraged enough by graft and corruption... Widespread graft has sadly numbed our morals.
The public money that goes to graft is money stolen from the poor. Because of graft and corruption, schools buildings cannot be constructed and teachers are not paid; public hospitals cannot protect us from untimely death; soldiers are deprived of their just wages.
Our biggest problem in our country is graft and corruption. This problem must be faced courageously now. We are risking the life of our nation if we continue to ignore it. I appeal to the consciences of our countrymen. Do not leave the solution of graft and corruption to corrupt officials. Our problem cannot be our solution. Let us come together as Catholic faithful to fight the sin of graft and corruption. We cannot profess faith in God and not get angry at widespread graft and corruption. Faith in God and outrage at sin go together. Outrage is not enough; it must lead to action. If we are not outraged by the sin of stealing happening all over our once beautiful land, could it be that our faith has turned cold and uncaring? If your faith has turned cold and uncaring, how can you be saved? Fight corruption or lose your soul!
I place this appeal at the feet of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal.”
From the Cathedral of Saint Joseph, Balanga City, November 27, 2008
+SOCRATES B. VILLEGAS
Bishop of Balanga