Independent Study Physical Education Update

[SB Youth Hockey]

Greetings Youth Hockey Fans,

This note concerns our Youth / High School Hockey program and Independent Study Physical Education (ISPE) in the Junior High and High Schools. Please take a moment and read on. It may seem way in the future that your 8 year old will be entering High School. That's what I thought that first season I coached 8U, and now my boy is 14. 

As background, we are seeking approval of our Youth /  High School hockey program as ISPE in the Santa Barbara School District. Our approval will be an important milestone for expanding hockey into the High Schools, and building on our past two successful seasons in the Central Coast High School Hockey League. Yet pending revisions to the ISPE program will effectively eliminate our program. One of our hockey parents, Janine Dallow, has drafted a great summary which I am forwarding with her permission below. 

And perhaps I'll see you at the Board of Education meeting Tuesday, May 10th! - Kirk

## Janine's Note Follows ##

Parents and Friends,

Some of you may be interested in Independent Study Physical Education (ISPE) approval for your Junior High and High School students. ISPE allows participants to receive PE credit in lieu of attending PE classes at the Junior and High School level. For many this not only allows them to continue in a sport they love, it frees up hours in the day for other elective classes. The Present, approved list of ISPE programs is included below. It includes such sports as tennis, surfing, martial arts, dance, gymnastics, golf, water polo etc. Many activities that are not offered through the public school directly. The existing ISPE program was created by months of hard work and consultation with past trustees, parents, teachers, leaders from every conceivable sport, coaches, community teen service providers, and student athletes.

Cutting to the chase, unbeknownst to many, the SB Board of Education is proposing to revise the ISPE guidelines in a manner that will eliminate eligibility of many organizations and participants. ISPE will become more exclusionary with the focus being the "student is an exceptionally gifted athlete who has competed nationally or internationally on an /*individual basis*/ for at least one year." A link to the full text of the proposed revision follows. It is likely that a major motivator for the change is the costs of running the ISPE program in the face of a dismal budget. However, where there is a will there is a way, and with support from parents, fundraising, participant fees for tracking ISPE, and other creative means, there is no need for anyone to suffer, but rather to benefit, as a result of ISPE. It may even free up school funds for the PE and sports program offered there.

So, if you have any interest at all in supporting ISPE for our Junior and High School students, please take a minute and send an email to the Board of Education members encouraging them to support ISPE. Better yet, please attend the board meeting on Tuesday, May 10, in person. With enough knowledge and support, we should be able to resolve any issues and keep this successful program available our students.


Link to ISPE proposed revision: 
http://www.sbsdk12.org/board/attachments/2011/04-26/04-26-11_attachment_E.1.pdf

Link to Board of Education Schedule: 
http://www.sbsdk12.org/board/agenda/dates.shtml


Board Member email addresses: 

   * *Annette Cordero*, President (Term expires in November 2012)
         o e-mail: cord...@sbcc.edu <mailto:cord...@sbcc.edu>
   * *Susan Christol Deacon*, Vice President (Term expires in November 2012)
         o e-mail: deacon4s...@gmail.com <mailto:deacon4s...@gmail.com>
   * *H. Edward Heron* (Term expires in November 2012)
         o e-mail: edh...@cox.net <mailto:edh...@cox.net>
   * *S. Monique Limon* Term expires in November 2014)
         o e-mail: limon4s...@gmail.com <mailto:limon4s...@gmail.com>
   * *Kate Parker* (Term expires in November 2014)
         o e-mail: kateparker.s...@gmail.com
           <mailto:kateparker.s...@gmail.com>