Notes from the 2/16 school board meeting

[PNG1992]

1. Board approved $23,100 in money for technology upgrades to the field house. Included was new video editing equipment that can be used to study game film or make highlight videos for college recruiters, 2 new laptops, and a server for the field house. Coach said that 3 years of game film would be loaded onto these servers as soon as they are installed.

2. Board approved adding two new middle school coaching positions for PNMS and GMS to bring their staff totals to 4 instead of 3 and they would start at the middle schools next year. Two varsity coaches were let go, 2 reassigned to middle schools, and 2 retired.

3. The board approved coach bringing in 4 new football coaches that would teach at the HS and coach on the varsity staff. They would begin as soon as possible.

4. Board approved the hiring of a full time athletic dept secretary.


Other notes:

Board questioned Faircloth about the 7th grade teams playing real games if coaches were added. He responded with its not about the coaching its about having enough local teams to compete against. Said there were 5 local schools with teams and if the UIL would allow PNMS and GMS to play each other 2 times, the 7th graders could play a 7 game season.

Coach also mentioned that EVERY 7th, 8th or 9th grader that was on the football team would get to play in EVERY game. That those are "developmental years" and all the kids should get a chance. Also said he and the varsity staff would be involved with the middle school coaching.

 

[akifan94]

1. Board approved $23,100 in money for technology upgrades to the field house. Included was new video editing equipment that can be used to study game film or make highlight videos for college recruiters, 2 new laptops, and a server for the field house. Coach said that 3 years of game film would be loaded onto these servers as soon as they are installed.

2. Board approved adding two new middle school coaching positions for PNMS and GMS to bring their staff totals to 4 instead of 3 and they would start at the middle schools next year. Two varsity coaches were let go, 2 reassigned to middle schools, and 2 retired.

3. The board approved coach bringing in 4 new football coaches that would teach at the HS and coach on the varsity staff. They would begin as soon as possible.

4. Board approved the hiring of a full time athletic dept secretary.


Other notes:

Board questioned Faircloth about the 7th grade teams playing real games if coaches were added. He responded with its not about the coaching its about having enough local teams to compete against. Said there were 5 local schools with teams and if the UIL would allow PNMS and GMS to play each other 2 times, the 7th graders could play a 7 game season.

Coach also mentioned that EVERY 7th, 8th or 9th grader that was on the football team would get to play in EVERY game. That those are "developmental years" and all the kids should get a chance. Also said he and the varsity staff would be involved with the middle school coaching.

I like it. That is great news about the middle schools and 9th grade team. :clap:

 

[EX79NDN]

When I was in junior high (back then 7th and 8th grades) we did have "real" football games. Groves had two junior high teams, Groves Chiefs and Woodlawn Braves. Port Neches had the Warriors I think. We all played each other. We also played the Nederland junior high teams. I do not remember what other teams we played. I can not remember if we played any Port Arthur junior high teams or not. We had our own band (that marched by the end of the year), our own fight song, our own school song, our own cheerleaders and our own pep squad. Do they not have that same stuff today? If not, what happened? Man that is really having to rack my brain. I can remember even having our own pep rallies on game day.

 

[badndn]

What Happened???

Money. Funding for those items was moved into other areas or cut out. Funny how we all wonder what is wrong with kids in America today! Why are they getting into trouble, getting pregnant at an early age, not graduating? Maybe because we keep taking away the extraciricular items that kept them off the streets and out of trouble!!!!! :guns:

Back on topic, love the direction...He is wasting no time!

 

[EX79NDN]

What Happened???

Money. Funding for those items was moved into other areas or cut out. Funny how we all wonder what is wrong with kids in America today! Why are they getting into trouble, getting pregnant at an early age, not graduating? Maybe because we keep taking away the extraciricular items that kept them off the streets and out of trouble!!!!! :guns:

Back on topic, love the direction...He is wasting no time!

That is sad (about the money). Really sad!! That is what kept us involved in school. And we wonder why the band is not as good as it use to be, the players are not as good as they use to be and the over all school spirit is not like it use to be. I am glad to see Coach Faircloth jumping in there and not hesitating on getting things straighten out. Hopefully if he can get things straighten out on the middle school (junior high) level, some of those extra things can come back. :clap:

Just wondering, who are the middle school coaches right now?

Is Jeff Cooley coaching at the Groves Middle school? If not does anyone know why? If not he should be. He was on the PNG Varsity State Champions team of '76. His junior year he was named All-District and his senior year he was named All-District, Super Team, All-State.

 

[allstarmom]

The coaches at Groves as of right now are Rob Noble, Frank Breuer, and Mark Brevell. The ones at Port Neches are Kevin Schexneider, Mark Gassen, and Roy Gaspard. Heard today that Smith is going to PN and Wallace is going to Groves.

As far as all the other stuff goes, here is my opinion: There is a band at each middle school and they still have their fight songs. They all have band t-shirts and blue jeans, so they could march at home games in them, and that would not cost the district any money at all. Also PNMS has a spirit club that cheered at the last game. No pom poms or anything, but they wore Warrior t-shirts and yelled (again no cost to the district). When I was at Groves Junior High, (graduated class of 1982) I was in the pep squad and we had little pompoms on a stick that we bought. I am not sure if it was funded by the school or not, but every other tom, dick, and harry has a club at the middle school so why not a spirit club. Even if you only had 1-2 pep rallies a year, it would be something to get the honor, pride, and tradition going. Maybe have a pep rally for the first game and the all important one where PN plays Groves. Right now we have a homecoming pep rally at the middle schools where players from the high school, band members, a cheerleader or 2, and maybe the Indian Spirit come.

 

[squaw]

Our son was a junior on the 1975 state championship team and he first began football in the 8th grade. There was no 7th grade football team at all. He only played 8th and 9th when he was in junior high (as it was called back then).

 

[EX79NDN]

They all have band t-shirts and blue jeans, so they could march at home games in them, and that would not cost the district any money at all.

When I was in school, Woodlawn and Groves bands both had band uniforms. They might have been the high school hand-me-downs (I do not know), but they had uniforms. Hand-me-downs from the high school would not be bad. Kind of like a pre high school band experience. We also had twirlers.

When I was at Groves Junior High, (graduated class of 1982) I was in the pep squad and we had little pompoms on a stick that we bought. I am not sure if it was funded by the school or not, but every other tom, dick, and harry has a club at the middle school so why not a spirit club.

When I attended Woodlawn our pep squad wore a purple skirt and a white blouse. I know pretty old fashion, but that is what we where told to wear at the time. The paper pom poms (on a stick) were bought by the bulk, and you purchase your own pom poms from the pep squad sponsor (Mrs. James at the time). The uniform (purple skirt and white blouse) and pom poms where our expense. The cheerleader uniforms where the schools uniforms that where used year after year. Any of their other essentials where at the expense of the cheerleader and her family. The pep squad was kind of like a pre Indianette experience and most girls that participated in the pep squad went on to be a cheerleader, or Indianette. Probably 100% of the girls at least went on to be involved in some type of extra curricular activity

Even if you only had 1-2 pep rallies a year, it would be something to get the honor, pride, and tradition going. Maybe have a pep rally for the first game and the all important one where PN plays Groves. Right now we have a homecoming pep rally at the middle schools where players from the high school, band members, a cheerleader or 2, and maybe the Indian Spirit come.

The junior high pep rallies where a beginning experience to the high school pep rallies, it was during this time that we really started learning the importance of traditions, honor and pride in our school and school district. I think they should start these programs back up. Maybe with Coach Faircloth revamping the middle school football program, they can bring back those programs. If it is because of money, than that is when it would be good to have a middle school booster club.

 

[allstarmom]

my daughter is in band at GMS and they have a booster club. Maybe Mr. Cummings and Mr. Hooper can suggest these things to Coach Faircloth.

 

[EX79NDN]

my daughter is in band at GMS and they have a booster club. Maybe Mr. Cummings and Mr. Hooper can suggest these things to Coach Faircloth.

That sounds like it would be a good idea. They could use some of the examples that have been mentioned here to back up their reason for a booster club or more student involvement. Seems like Coach Faircloth has the pull/leadership to get things done.

 

[squaw]

my daughter is in band at GMS and they have a booster club. Maybe Mr. Cummings and Mr. Hooper can suggest these things to Coach Faircloth.

That sounds like it would be a good idea. They could use some of the examples that have been mentioned here to back up their reason for a booster club or more student involvement. Seems like Coach Faircloth has the pull/leadership to get things done.

I think a band booster club is great, but I, personally, hope we do not get a football booster club. This community is too political and someone will be President of the booster club and then they begin to tell the coach how to run their program and coach. Ask some people in Nederland. I've heard all the stories. Now this is JMHO, so don't go ballistic on me. I won't run for President of the Booster Club! lol

 

[CardiacKids 92]

We desperately need a booster club! Don't think you can just have a football booster club. I think it has to be an atheletic booster club benifitting ALL athletics (boys and girls), it may include the band and cheerleaders as well... The lack of money for atheletics can be fixed with a booster club. I think the PNG fans would raise tons of money for this effort, even in these tough economic times.

 

[lu cards]

an athletic booster club is the only way to go.one that benefits all sports both boys and girls.

 

[IndianFan]

I think it will happen. The current school administration wanted one years ago. Coach Faircloth doesn't seem like the type to avoid the public. And would utilize booster funds to really build up the athletic programs.

 

[NDNPARENT]

back in the late 70's i was at GJH (8th , 9th) adn we had a football team for each grade, alos cheerleaders for each grade and 1 band and pep squad conisting of both grades that played at the 9th grade game. I and 2 friends of mine worked the yard markers at all the home games. The cheerleaders had outifuts. and the band had their uniforms, the pep squard wore t shirt and jeans. questiion i have how did all this stop? and why?

 

[EX79NDN]

back in the late 70's i was at GJH (8th , 9th) adn we had a football team for each grade, alos cheerleaders for each grade and 1 band and pep squad conisting of both grades that played at the 9th grade game. I and 2 friends of mine worked the yard markers at all the home games. The cheerleaders had outifuts. and the band had their uniforms, the pep squard wore t shirt and jeans. questiion i have how did all this stop? and why?

That is what I have been wondering. That was a great thing and kept alot of kids involved in school activities.

 

[bandkid]

We desperately need a booster club! Don't think you can just have a football booster club. I think it has to be an atheletic booster club benifitting ALL athletics (boys and girls), it may include the band and cheerleaders as well... The lack of money for atheletics can be fixed with a booster club. I think the PNG fans would raise tons of money for this effort, even in these tough economic times.

If we created one booster club that supported all of the extra-curricular activities, (Everything. Every sport, the band, UIL Academics, cheerleaders, Indianettes... No extra-curricular student left behind.) and listed its sole responsibility as a source of extra funding, I think it could work.

back in the late 70's i was at GJH (8th , 9th) adn we had a football team for each grade, alos cheerleaders for each grade and 1 band and pep squad conisting of both grades that played at the 9th grade game. I and 2 friends of mine worked the yard markers at all the home games. The cheerleaders had outifuts. and the band had their uniforms, the pep squard wore t shirt and jeans. questiion i have how did all this stop? and why?

That is what I have been wondering. That was a great thing and kept alot of kids involved in school activities.

I have no idea what happened, but middle school band certainly would have been more fun if we had marched.

Now I see why everyone says that PN-G's pride has cooled off. We dont do half the things we used to. The 7th grade football team never played a single game when I was in middle school. The coaches talked about having a scrimage between the two PN-G middle schools at the end of the year, but it never happened. We need to rejuvenate the middle school pride. Then, we'll start seeing some progress.

Lets get some of that Honor, Pride, and Tradition going again!

 

[EX79NDN]

I know times have changed since I was in junior high. More mothers where at home mom's and had the time to be more involved, than today. But what is wrong with the grand parents starting to get involved? In the school district that I live in now I would say approx. 75% of the parents both work. We started incorporating grand parents into the PTA/PTO and other activities. All my daughters have now graduated from school, but now my grand children are starting. I belong to the Elementary PTA that my grand children attend. I also coach the little junior football league cheerleader girls plus attend their games, among other things. It keeps me busy and I also enjoy the time I get to spend with my grand children while their parents work. If more grand parents would get involved you never would have a shortage of volunteer help. It takes volunteers/guardians/parents for all these extra activies to be successful.

I wish that I lived closer so that I could volunteer my time to help get these activies back going again. I had fun in junior high and in high school due to extra activies that I was involved in. Junior high activities back then was structured just like the high school, just on a smaller scale. It sure did help on the transition from junior high to high school.

 

[NDNband69]

WOW. One reason I am such a fan of all things PNG was my absolute love for my experiences in band at Woodlawn Junior High. I have always said I would never change anything of my wonderful experiences of being in band. Having the arranger of Cherokee (Mr. G) as my band director at Woodlawn, the marching band practices, the games, my friends, development of instrument skills and music appreciation were all part of the swelling pride of being part of PNG. Because of those efforts in Junior high, by the time we got to high school band, we were almost 200 strong. I applaud coach Faircloth for pointing out the need to reinvigorate the football programs in Middle Schools. My hope is it might enthuse the bands too.

 

[EX79NDN]

We need to rejuvenate the middle school pride. Then, we'll start seeing some progress.

Lets get some of that Honor, Pride, and Tradition going again!

That is what I have always believed. If you start the pride in junior high (sorry middle school) than it will carry over to the high school. wonder how someone would go about getting some of these programs restarted? I know Coach Faircloth probably has alot on his plate right now, but should someone say something to him, the junior high (sorry again old habit, middle school) principal, or the school board?

Having the arranger of Cherokee (Mr. G) as my band director at Woodlawn

Mr. G was sssssooooo cool. I started out in beginner band wanting to play those famous drums. Mr. G did not like the way I wanted to hold my drum sticks :nono: and told me his band was not a "rock band" and I was not a rock band drum player. :rocks: :sorry: I changed to the flute.