Thanks to everyone who came to congratulate me on winning the 200th game at Bancroft-Rosalie School. Obviously, you don't win without talented players and good assistance coaches. I appreciate former coaches Brent Gatzemeyer and Tim Slaughter coming to the game. Brent was an assist for 38 of the wins and Tim assisted with the first State Championship team in 1985 and the runner-up team in 1986. In those days, coaches didn't trade film. We had to jump in a car and drive to Ansley when we wanted to scout them.
Also thanks to writer Steve Smith for coming to the game. Being mentioned in his book (only as "the B-R football coach", not by name)made it fun reading for me.
A special thanks to Richard Mohl and Clark Petersen for the special effects at the game and in my front yard. I might leave that up for a few days.
Friday, October 30, 2009
B-R vs. Pawnee City game time 1:30 pm
Next Wednesday's play-off game will be played at 1:30 pm at the request of the Pawnee City Superintendent. If the visiting team travels over 125 miles they have control of the game time.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Sub-district volleyball pairings released
Sub-district volleyball will start Monday November 2 at Wayne High School.
5:30 PM #4 Ponca (8-14) vs. #5 Winnebago (8-14)
6:30 PM #2 Homer (16-10) vs. #3 Wakefield (13-16)
7:30 PM #1 Bancrft-Rosalie (18-8) vs. Ponca-Winnebago winner
Tuesday November 3
7:00 PM Sub-district championship game
Retaining youth in small towns
Jon Bailey forwarded me information on a recent study that looked at the dilemma rural youth face at graduation. Do they remain as adults in rural communities where they may sacrifice educational or economic opportunities, or leave for expanded options in urban areas?
The authors of the study interviewed 300 former students of a small rural community in Iowa (the community is not revealed). They found that most youth fit into one of four categories- Achievers, Stayers, Seekers, and Returners.
The Achievers are the students that are successful in high school. These students are “enthusiastically encouraged by parents and teachers to focus on their high school studies, pursue higher education, and seek careers outside of town.” The Stayers typically skip college and remain in the hometown area to marry, have children, and work at mainly service or factory jobs. The Seekers tend to skip higher education and turn to the military as a way out of the community, seeking greener grass elsewhere.
The Returners fall into two categories. “First are the High-Flyers, Achievers who, for a variety of personal and economic reasons, return to rural communities. Boomerangs, who were originally eager to explore the world, ultimately were disappointed enough to return.”
The study offers some suggestions for how rural places might do a better job of retaining their youth. They note the “irony of investing heavily in youth who are destined to leave rural communities for opportunities elsewhere.” The authors encourage school boards, teachers, and others to “turn their attention to Stayers and Boomerangs, those who will remain in rural places and will be most interested in their viability.” The authors recommend “stronger relationships between local high schools and community colleges and the establishment of career academy, dual credit or transition programs for potential Stayers and Boomerangs.” This may also include efforts to link curriculum and instruction to local community needs, including economic development. Not an easy thing to do.
Bancroft-Rosalie School has been working closely with Northeast Community College on exactly what the study suggests- career academies and dual credit opportunities. We need to encourage the Stayers to attend college and learn skills that they can bring back to utilize in the community. Possibly, to start their own business.
The study is published in the book, Hollowing Out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What It Means For America.
The authors of the study interviewed 300 former students of a small rural community in Iowa (the community is not revealed). They found that most youth fit into one of four categories- Achievers, Stayers, Seekers, and Returners.
The Achievers are the students that are successful in high school. These students are “enthusiastically encouraged by parents and teachers to focus on their high school studies, pursue higher education, and seek careers outside of town.” The Stayers typically skip college and remain in the hometown area to marry, have children, and work at mainly service or factory jobs. The Seekers tend to skip higher education and turn to the military as a way out of the community, seeking greener grass elsewhere.
The Returners fall into two categories. “First are the High-Flyers, Achievers who, for a variety of personal and economic reasons, return to rural communities. Boomerangs, who were originally eager to explore the world, ultimately were disappointed enough to return.”
The study offers some suggestions for how rural places might do a better job of retaining their youth. They note the “irony of investing heavily in youth who are destined to leave rural communities for opportunities elsewhere.” The authors encourage school boards, teachers, and others to “turn their attention to Stayers and Boomerangs, those who will remain in rural places and will be most interested in their viability.” The authors recommend “stronger relationships between local high schools and community colleges and the establishment of career academy, dual credit or transition programs for potential Stayers and Boomerangs.” This may also include efforts to link curriculum and instruction to local community needs, including economic development. Not an easy thing to do.
Bancroft-Rosalie School has been working closely with Northeast Community College on exactly what the study suggests- career academies and dual credit opportunities. We need to encourage the Stayers to attend college and learn skills that they can bring back to utilize in the community. Possibly, to start their own business.
The study is published in the book, Hollowing Out the Middle: The Rural Brain Drain and What It Means For America.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Volleyball team advances to Conference Championship game
It is a busy sports week at B-R. Last night the girls won a five set thriller over Winside to advance to the conference championship game this Friday night. B-R will play Wynot at 7:00 pm in Wausa. Wynot won in five sets over Homer.
With rain forecast for Thursday, it will be too wet to harvest so park the combine in the shed and head to Wausa Friday night to support the girls.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Football Play-off shirts are in
The football play-off shirts are for sale in the school office. Prices are:
T-shirt $10
Long Sleeve T $15
Crew neck Sweatshirt $20
Hoodies $25
Complete roster on the back.
Limited supplies in some sizes. Get them before they are gone. A second order may be placed depending on sales.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Football game time set for 7:00 pm Thursday
Bancroft-Rosalie will host Omaha Christian Academy this Thursday night. Game time will be at 7:00 pm. Omaha Christian has a record of 6-2. Common opponents for B-R and OCA are Lyons-Decatur and Winnebago. OCA defeated Winnebago 53-14 in the seoncd week of the season and beat Lyons-Decatur 36-6 in week 3.
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