Mrs. Miller's Weekly Update
January 30th - February 5th, 2023
OFFICIALS ARE MORE THAN JUST "OFFICIALS"
REMINDER FROM LAST YEAR
I am actually reposting something I put out there last year at around this time. As we are gearing up to tournament time for our student-athletes, it's a good reminder to put in front of us again!
Pictured above is Kaylan. Kaylan is a speech pathologist with the Central Rivers Area Education Agency (CRAEA) and works with GHV students who have IEPs for speech. Kaylan is shared with other schools in the area in addition to GHV, and she is a great asset to our kids with speech disabilities.
I worked with Kaylan's mom, Dee, at North Iowa Elementary for two years. So in addition to knowing Kaylan, I also know her mom! And it just so happened that Brian, father and husband to Kalyan and Dee, was officiating one day at GHV. The above picture was taken after the games.
This was such an EXCELLENT REMINDER to me that officials are not just people refereeing our events. They are husbands, dads, uncles, sons, and brothers. There are people in the world who love them despite how accurately they make calls in a game.
Officiating at elementary, middle, and high school events does not define who these individuals are. For most, this is a very, very small part of their lives. Officials are people, too, and we need to remember that every time they make a call.... good or bad.
BE RESPECTFUL TOWARDS THE OFFICIALS
In 1971, ABC's Wild World of Sports' Jim McKay coined the phrase, "The thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat." I know one thing - as a former athlete, a parent of an athlete, and a competitive person who loves sports - sports invoke emotions.
I'll admit. I can be a very loud person. In fact, I often catch myself hollering loudly at our home wrestling meets and basketball games. They can be intense and exhilarating, and I get caught up in the moment. However, I don't apologize for being loud. I want to encourage our athletes and I want to win!
The reason I am unapologetic is because what I am shouting are words of encouragement and support. "Nice rebound! -Brush it off! (when a mistake is made) - Teamwork! -You'll get the next one! (when a free throw is missed). - Rebound! - You're good, you're good!" (when I see an athlete showing frustration)." I make a conscious effort to make sure my comments are positive and encouraging. It's my job to try my best to set a good example for our students and families and to leave a positive impression of GHV.
Let me be clear. I love the enthusiasm and passion of our students and fans. GHV FANS - YOUNG AND OLD - KEEP THE ENTHUSIASM & PASSION! I want us to be LOUD and PROUD!
However, I do ask that we make a conscious effort to be respectful of our officials. When they make a call that you don't agree with, don't berate them. Yelling at an official for their call won't change the outcome, and most importantly, it doesn't help our athletes. We need to support them and encourage them when they make mistakes, when the officials make mistakes, or when things are not going our way. We need to help deescalate the frustration, not add to it. We need to encourage them to keep going and to try their best.
I've been working on good sportsmanship with our students, and I have been modeling it myself. I still think negative things in my head sometimes (I'm human), but I have been doing a good job of not saying them out loud. I'm a work in progress, too. :)
I'll ask of you the same things I expect from our kids. Keep the passion. Keep cheering for us, not against them. And show our officials respect despite our thoughts on if the right call was made. They deserve respect regardless.
REMEMBER - We are CARDINALS! Everything we say and do at events represents GHV, and therefore, being respectful is ALWAYS the right call.
Remember what I mentioned about wanting us to be loud and proud?
LET'S CHEER WITH THE CHEERLEADERS! This is a perfect time to show our Cardinal Pride by cheering along. This can be standing and clapping, chanting along to "Let's Go Cards!", or anything you feel comfortable with. I'd love for us to be louder during these cheering times and help support our cheerleaders as well!
I'll see you (or maybe you'll hear me first) at the upcoming events this week.
GOOOOOOOO Cardinals!
GHV WEEKLY CALENDAR
Mon., Jan. 30
3:30 - All HS Staff Meeting in Media Center
3:45 p.m . - JV/V G/B Basketball @ Humboldt (JV Dismiss: 1:50/Bus: 2:00)
6:30 p.m. - JJV Boys Basketball @ West Fork (Bus: 5:15)
Tues., Jan. 31
5:30 p. m. - Girls Basketball Guest Speaker in HS Auditorium
6:00 p.m. - Wrestling Quad @ North Union (Swea City) vs. Eagle Grove, North Union, West Hancock
Wed., Feb. 1
8:20 a.m. - Pre-ACT Test - Sophomores
Thurs., Feb. 2
7:00 a.m. - YIELD Mtg. - Garner Public Library
4:00 p.m. - JV/V G/B Basketball (H) vs. Clear Lake
Fri., Feb. 3
4:00 p.m. - JV/V G/B Basketball (H) vs. North Union (Senior Night)
Extra Innings Committee Chuck-A-Duck at halftime of Boys Game
Sat., Feb. 4
Dual Team State Wrestling Tournament
State Large Group Speech Contest @ TBD
10:00 a.m. - Varsity Wrestling Sectionals @ TBD
Sun., Feb. 5
Mon., Feb. 6 - MIDTERM GRADES DUE!