S.A.F.E.

In 1995, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent John Stanford formed a task force of community members, School District Employees, and business and political leaders to identify problems in the District athletic program, and to recommend solutions. The task force recommended that several steps be taken to establish a quality athletic program, including restarting middle school athletics, developing a community fundraising program to enhance District athletic budgets, and creating an advisory group to oversee and assist the District athletic program. This advisory group, called Seattle Athletic Facilities and Education (S.A.F.E.), was formed in October 1996. S.A.F.E. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization within the Alliance for Education

WHAT IS S.A.F.E.?

In 1995, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent John Stanford formed a task force of community members, School District Employees, and business and political leaders to identify problems in the District athletic program, and to recommend solutions. The task force recommended that several steps be taken to establish a quality athletic program, including restarting middle school athletics, developing a community fundraising program to enhance District athletic budgets, and creating an advisory group to oversee and assist the District athletic program. This advisory group, called Seattle Athletic Facilities and Education (S.A.F.E.), was formed in October 1996. S.A.F.E. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization within the Alliance for Education.

S.A.F.E.'S PURPOSE

The purpose of S.A.F.E. is to assist the Seattle Public Schools athletic office in restoring and enhancing the District athletic program.

Safe’s mission is to:

• Help the District provide healthy, structured, supervised after-school athletic activities for middle school and high school students.
• Support strong leadership of athletics.
• Improve District athletic facilities.
• Secure outstanding athletic coaches and personnel.
• Develop and enhance athletic programs.
• Increase funding sources for athletics.
• Bring back community pride in the program.

S.A.F.E.'S GOALS FOR 1998-99

1. Fundraising:S.A.F.E. continues to focus efforts on raising enough additional funds to improve opportunities for quality athletic participation in all Seattle School District middle and high schools.
2.  Building a Coaches Culture:  Our goal is to encourage high professional coaching standards, establish a community within the school system where coaches feel supported by the administration and parents, and develop a winning spirit throughout the Seattle Public Schools. S.A.F.E. is providing clinics giving coaches a chance to improve their skills, increase camaraderie, and become more positively involved in the lives of their athletes.
3. Facility Improvements:  S.A.F.E. will assist the district athletic office in implementing the first phase of facility improvements funded by the February 1998 levy, including renovations to middle and high school gymnasiums.

Why do we need a quality athletic program?

Participation in athletics:

• Teaches teamwork and helps youngsters belong to a group.
• Encourages and requires academic discipline in order to participate.
• Promotes discipline, goal-setting, and the value of hard work.
• Teaches sportsmanship and fair play.
• Helps youngsters learn how to win and lose.
• Develops and encourages physical conditioning and athletic skills.
• Builds self-esteem.
• Offers opportunities for leadership.
• Lets students have fun.

Studies have shown that participation in athletics has a positive effect on such important issues as academic achievement, self-esteem, graduating from high school, attending college, and reducing teen pregnancy and drug usage.

The middle school years in particular are widely acknowledged as a crucial period for youngsters. Young people who abuse alcohol or drugs before age 15 are much more likely to engage in antisocial behaviors and delinquency, experience teen pregnancy, become involved in gang activity and violence, and drop out of school. The need for healthy, structured, and supervised after-school activities for middle school students as an alternative to these problems is critical, and a middle school athletic program provides this alternative.

High Schools also benefit from restarting middle school sports. A middle school sports program will increase the total number and skill level of students participating in high school sports, which will improve the competitiveness of high school teams, allow for the development of a junior varsity program, and enhance community support.

S.A.F.E.'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Restarted middle school athletics. In 1996-97, boys & girls basketball and co-ed track programs were provided for middle schools. In 1997-98, the middle school program was expanded from 2 sports/2 seasons to 4 sports/3 seasons, with boys & girls soccer and co-ed ultimate frisbee added. In 1998-99, the program expanded to 6 sports, with girls volleyball and regional wrestling now being offered.
• Created and produced a community-wide fundraising event on the Seattle Waterfront. Significantly raised community awareness of the issues and problems facing the District athletic program with a media and public relations campaign.

•  Developed and distributed a District athletic manual to coaches and administrators.

• Creating and hosting biannual coaches’ social functions to thank district coaches for their hard work and provide them with opportunities to network, gain important new skills and training, and build relationships with college coaches.

• S.A.F.E. was instrumental in the passage of the February 1998 school levy, which provides $40 million to build 4 regional athletic facilities and upgrade existing facilities throughout the district.

• Created and mailed a brochure to all district parents explaining the athletic program and how students can participate.

• S.A.F.E. and the district athletic office have established a partnership with Seattle Parks, providing well-coordinated programs and additional funding for district students.

In addition, the district athletic office this year has:

·         Added assistant coaches for all middle school sports;

·         Added security for middle school basketball games;

·         Provided transportation for middle school track and basketball;

·         Paid student-athletes’ catastrophic insurance fees;

·         Increased all high school athletic budgets;

·         Added assistant coaches in most high school sports.

Kids who want to play, coaches who care,and fields in good repair are S.A.F.E.’s empahsis.

HISTORY OF SEATTLE SCHOOL DISTRICT ATHLETICS

In 1977, the District suffered a double levy failure. As a result, all junior high (now called middle schools) athletic programs and high school junior varsity and freshman teams were eliminated. Some high school junior varsity programs were later reinstated, but middle school sports were never offered again until S.A.F.E. and the District reinstated two middle school sports in 1996-97.

As a result of these program cuts, participation opportunities for students have been significantly reduced, and the athletic competitiveness of District high school teams has steadily deteriorated. Between 1979 and 1994, Metro League championships won by District high schools decreased from 60% to 28%.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

For more information, contact:

John Buller, S.A.F.E.
 Ammon McWashington, Seattle Public Schools Athletic Office, 206-956-3270.

To make a donation, send your check payable to:

S.A.F.E.
c/o Alliance for Education
500 Union Street, Suite 320
Seattle, WA 98101-2332