Let your children know that you want them to do well in school

To The Daily Sun,

Society, with help of schools of all sizes, has taken games (sports) to an unrealistic level, which directly threatens the very existence of scholastic excellence. This bold statement is not just a cursory observation, but hopefully a notice that classroom studies are distant to games on the field, and academic success is fading in notice and acclaim. It is the game that counts (for so many) oblivious to the actual reason children attend school — in the first place.

There are semi-frequent notices about grade levels and academic achievements and exceptional students (few as they may be.) especially this time of year. But newspapers are loaded with ballfield events, game scores and endless stories of huge wins and crushing defeats. And on and on it goes day after day. Math, science, reading and writing are nowhere to be seen. In essence, nothing else seems to have the enthusiasm, the gusto, the thrills and chills as the daily game. This seems perfectly fine. But in all this hullabaloo most children are failing in the classroom, and nobody seems to care or is able to significantly improve percentile grades, year-to-year. Win the football championship and all else is forgotten and pushed aside.

As a nation we are falling further behind in competitive skills and knowledge. Our minor children are not getting the grades they need to advance in a tough world market. In spite of this, parents are blind to the damaging effects of near-idolatry of their children playing endless games that have no real or usable consequences.

I enjoy watching my grandkids play on the field or court. They are excellent students, and games don't have that win-or-else mentality. I hope that's the case.

This is a very serious problem. We have to make a 180 degree turn from where we are now. The most recognizable scale we have tells us to educate the children, do not accept failure and excuse. Don't be foolish, let your children know you want them to do well in school, That is the most important thing in their young lives.

Games must take a minor role, slink into the background where they belong and no longer be the dominant and overbearing entities they have become.

Leon R. Albushies

Gilford