NAVIGATOR SKIPPER POSES FOR PICTURE

My Son and Richie Hebner

A preseason party for the Northshore Navigators served as a kick-off to what looks to be a great year for the city of Lynn in sports. After state titles in both football and soccer at LVTI and a state title in basketball for St. Mary's, the city is prepared for a continuation of success in area sports.

RICK STARBARD and MARIA CARRASCO were present representing LPS.  Athletics are very important for the overall development of the total student.

Talking to a retired LPS employee I heard an interesting idea for improving attendance and lowering the dropout rate. His thinking was that we shouldn't prevent students from playing sports as long as they pass Math and English. Sports is sometimes the magnet that keeps some kids coming to school and if we are preventing them from playing we often lose them.

The loss can lead to a life on entitlements that can take generations to break the cycle. Plus the schools lose out on all kinds of federal monies due to lower attendance and lower graduation rates. I really don't know if the numbers or laws would back up theses claims but it is an interesting concept.