<p>“A long time homeschooling family, we don’t think sports belong in schools at any level, grammar, middle or high school.”</p>
<p>Wow, that’s a strong statement. Until I had an athletically-gifted child, I might have agreed with you. But now that my son has been running long distance for 5 years, I really disagree. He has been on the varsity XC and track teams since his first semester of high school. The discipline and SMARTS he has learned from running is almost indescribable. He will pull an all-nighter in AP Biology and tell me the next day, “Mom, that was NOTHING compared to doing my 10-mile run yesterday.” Right now he is running at a national meet in New York City. Earlier today his team came in 11th in the 4xmile relay. A team from a small school in Maine! He’ll get back late tomorrow night, and hit his studies hard the next day. Oh, yeah, and he passed his Eagle Scout Board of Review on Thursday.</p>
<p>I know a LOT of kids (boys in particular) who benefit greatly from being on teams. Teachers have told me that they LOVE having long-distance runners in their classes, because they work so hard.</p>
<p>I’m glad homeschooling is working for you. Please understand, though, that school sports are vital for a lot of kids.</p>
<p>So you have a child who is a fencer? Are you just saying that kids shouldn’t play sports associated with their school, but a club is OK? I don’t think I understand.</p>