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Remodeling Athletics in Boston

Boston Public Schools Committee to Remodel Athletics

From 2015 to 2018, Mitch and Khari worked on the 25–person Committee to Remodel Athletics for the Boston Public Schools. There, with thoughtful, enthusiastic, open-minded staff and outside resource nonprofits, they helped established a new mission and vision for athletics in Boston. Athletics / Mission & Vision (bostonpublicschools.org)

It is reprinted here for your convenience:

BPS MISSION & VISION

Mission

The mission of Boston Public Schools is to give all students (Grades 6-12) the opportunity to participate in an innovative athletics program that explicitly develops the social-emotional and physical well-being of all athletes. The curriculum for this program is student-centric, culturally responsive, and emphasizes the positive nature of competition.

Vision

The Boston Public Schools offers a broad spectrum of sports in a fun, safe, and welcoming learning environment that equips students with skills that are necessary for success in college, career, and life.

Students will:

  • develop decision-making and problem-solving skills;
  • share ownership of their team and its inherent responsibilities;
  • understand the benefits and responsibilities of competition;
  • learn and apply performance-based sciences that will assist them in overcoming physical, social, and emotional obstacles in their lives.

Coaches will:

  • give their players an age-appropriate and significant voice on the team;
  • be mission-driven and values-led;
  • model respectful listening, empathy, and cultural and linguistic responsiveness;
  • maintain an enthusiastic, constructive approach to developing skills;
  • develop a fun environment that fosters personal growth and treats failure as a learning experience.

Athletic teams will:

  • become role models for safe and welcoming school environments;
  • promote ethical problem-solving;
  • model the power of full engagement;
  • achieve by setting challenging, realistic goals;
  • practice regulating emotions under difficult circumstances;
  • demonstrate respect for their teammates, coaches, opponents, officials, and communities.

Boston Public Schools Office of Social-Emotional Learning and Wellness will:

  • resource the Athletic Department’s mission;
  • develop curriculum;
  • train, mentor, and support coaching staff;
  • work with parents to promote the mission;
  • demonstrate their commitment, support, and interest in this initiative to coaches, students, and parents;
  • develop an evaluation tool that supports coaches in meeting this new mission;
  • value the voice of coach and athlete-students in this process.