Guest Column: New fields benefit all students

Written by Christian McCarthy
Thursday, 19 November 2009 00:00

The athletic facilities in Katonah-Lewisboro and how we utilize and maintain them impacts the degree to which we can involve all students in healthy physical activity. The upcoming referendum, which would provide more and better fields, is a step in expanding and improving our physical fitness and wellness program. In order to maximize our program, we must also maximize our existing facilities. For this reason, one of my first priorities when I arrived at John Jay was to study the use and maintenance of all athletic space in the district.

People joke about my lengthy title as director of health, physical education, athletics, and wellness, but in my mind, they are inseparable. My goal is to educate every student about health and wellness and motivate each one of them, regardless of athletic ability, to pursue lifelong fitness. This goal forms the core of my philosophy and drives all of my plans for the department.

An example of my philosophy is the transformation of the high school “weight room.” Previously used primarily by male varsity athletes, this room will now serve as a fitness center designed for all students. A $35,000 Booster Club donation financed renovations, including new floors, lighting, painting, and equipment. A similar project is planned for the health classrooms, which are being adapted to double as a multi-purpose studio for fitness classes, including yoga and kickboxing.

The Dec. 8 referendum would provide needed field renovation and expansion. It is important to note that our district does not have adequate fields to meet the needs of our students. Providing level, sectional playable fields for our softball and baseball programs is essential and immediately evident to anyone who has seen the existing diamond fields.

Currently, middle and high school students share the contest field, a turf field donated by the Booster Club. Due to seasonal conditions, the turf is often the only usable outdoor field. New fields at AP Farm Athletic Fields could be utilized for high school physical education classes, freeing up the contest field for middle school classes and allowing more classes to be conducted outdoors.

Additional fields would allow for an expanded high school intramural program to include “no cut” options to provide opportunities for students to participate in team sports regardless of skill level. If the referendum passes in December, we would anticipate piloting the first interscholastic intramural program at the high school next year, with the goal of expanding this program to the middle school.

More fields on campus means fewer teams transported to practices and competitions, allowing students additional time to attend after-school activities and extra help. Another benefit would be the opportunity for spring teams to practice outside earlier in the season. New fields also permit us to bring constantly utilized fields off line for seeding and resting. Improving the conditions of district fields benefits school programs as well as community athletics and recreation programs.

At every school in the district, I have measured and assessed each field. Working with Mike Jumper, assistant superintendent for business, and Tom Psomas, director of operations and maintenance, we are in the process of developing a comprehensive, districtwide maintenance plan including a schedule of rest, maintenance, and routine repair, field access and equipment on site, such as nets and backstops. I have conducted research on new techniques for prolonging the life of artificial turf fields and portable sprinkler systems that may address irrigation problems on the rear John Jay fields.

We are focused on a program that will bring all of our fields, including those at the elementary schools, up to the best condition possible. By addressing our need for field expansion, renovation, and maintenance, I am confident that our program will deliver on its promise of health, physical education, athletics, and wellness to all of our students.

Mr. McCarthy is the Katonah-Lewisboro School District director of health, physical education, athletics, and wellness.