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Show School TN and Home 1 by Dr. Daryl J. McCarty ytusl Executive Secretary Utah Education Association jtttmJ A wise man said that we humans usually don't do good work unless we're excited about what we're doing. True enough, but how do we parents get our children excited about the "extras" in school? By "extras," I mean the things school offers besides be-sides classes. Like the school play. Or basketball, the school yearbook staff, Future Farmers Farm-ers of America, the marching band. Sure, you can nag Susan about signing up for glee club. But that may not be enough. She might not think her voice is good enough. Or maybe she's afraid she "won't know anybody" in the glee club. (Maybe it's difficult for us as adults to understand that kind of fear, but it's a big thing for some students.) Maybe Susan needs encouragement encour-agement from somebody else. The music teacher? Junior high school and high school teachers usually have an hour every day for preparation for classes. You could call the school and arrange through . the secretary for a chat with the music teacher. Chances are, that teacher might be looking for a strong alto voice like Susan's in the glee club and agree to invite her for a tryout. It might be one of the biggest things that could happen to Susan as a student, a musician and a human being. She'd build new friendships. friend-ships. She'd stop being a spectator and become a participant. And singing the school song at graduation time just might be one of the nicest memories she'd ever have. No question about it: Youngsters Young-sters sometimes need a nudge to get involved, and sometimes some-times a parent can use a third party to do it. Once a wrestling or debate coach invites a youngster to take a look at a program, the student is one step closer to a big experience. He or she will see the other students in action, and there's a big chance the "new kid" will shove aside the apprehension apprehen-sion and think: "Hey, I Can do that!" That's the beginning of motivation, and nothing can be more beautiful to a teacher or a parent than to see it grow into skill and talent. fMlnallrailrrafrrralfrlrrfSll |