Keep your eye on the ball

Keep your eye on the ball

Don’t lose sight of what’s really important.  In our business, that is our students.  We all have curriculums to follow, laws, policies, rules and directives to live by.  These things must be done and done well, but what makes our school special and unique is you.  There is something unique about each of you and something you offer our student population that the person next door does not.  It takes all of us working together using our unique talents and abilities to provide an educational experience second to none.  Don’t let someone else define who you are and don’t lose sight of what matters most.  I had a friend that had experienced some recent hardship give me some advice that’s worth sharing with each of you.  “Don’t sweat the small stuff, but do notice and enjoy the small wonderful things about life.”  Keep your eye on the ball.  Go Hillbillies!

Sportsmanship, Athletics and Our Mission

How to help your player and your team

The essential elements of character-building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six core principles:

• Trustworthiness

• Respect

• Responsibility

• Fairness

• Caring

• Good Citizenship

Please don’t shout advice or “coach” your child during a game or official practice.  This oftentimes produces confusion and frustration for the student-athlete.

Please don’t harass the referees.  Sometimes a call is hard to take for whatever reason.  This will continue to be a lesson for our students as they develop into successful adults. 

Please don’t criticize the coach in front of your child.  It is OK and even natural to disagree with decisions the coach makes, but it does nothing positive for your child or the particular program to criticize publicly.  Coaches make mistakes sometimes and are learning every day as well.  Do your best to be supportive and please question/criticize outside the company of the student athlete. 

Please don’t razz the other team’s players.  We are teaching Sportsmanship to our students and this is an area that should be off limits.

Most importantly, tell your child you are proud of them and that you enjoy watching them compete or contribute.  Attend the events and Be Positive!  Cheer for your child and the team!  Tell them they did a good job when they do well.  Please help them learn how to lead, be led, sacrifice, overcome adversity, commit to a task/team, set goals, work together as a team and the many other valuable life lessons through their participation in athletics.  You are the biggest influence on your child’s life and future.  They need your love, influence and leadership greatly.  Thank you for the level of commitment and care you provide daily.  Hillbilly Parents are an awesome group of student supporters!  They’re counting on you!

Ozark School District is committed to our Athletic Programs supporting our mission.  Students win in an environment where everyone is working together for a common cause.  Thank you for your support!

Go Hillbillies!