December 17, 2009

National Poetry Slam Auditions

Yesterday was definitely a nerve racking day for some of our SCORES students.  22 poets from four schools performed at Starbucks yesterday to compete for a spot in the national Poetry Slam scheduled to be held in New York on April 19th.  On January 8th we will announce which boy and girl will have the honor of performing with SCORES students from across the U.S., but for now, here are a few of the poems that were presented yesterday afternoon.  Enjoy!

I come from...

I come from Soccer.  I come from amazing, wow!
I come from smart.  I come from music.
I come from videogames and basketball.
I come from sweet.  I come from kindness.
I come from joyous.  I come from roses and daisies.
I come from weird.  I come from a cuckoo and peaceful life.
Those are the things I come from.

By Janet G.
Cowell Elementary

Candle

Without you candle the world would be dark.
I need your fire, I need your spark.
You're on my birthday cake to remind me how old I am.
Sometimes you smell like chocolate, sometimes you smell like jam.
You're there when the power goes out,
so people don't have to cry and pout.
You're there to sent the air, by the window forever your glare.
People don't have to worry because you, candle, will always be there!

By Daeja R.
Cowell Elementary

Acrostic TEAM

Together we will achieve.
Everywhere we go we will win.
Again we will try.
More we practice, the more we are going to win.

By Luis P
Barnum Elementary

Shell

Shell, you have beautiful colors.
You sound like the ocean.
You say words and I cannot describe them.
Ocean words.
Your words sound so peaceful.
You poke my hand when I hold you.
Swirls on top.
Say Something.
Say your words, the ocean way.
Ocean words.

By Adrianna C.
Cowell Elementary

The Pencil

I've turned into a pencil.  People at Barnum are writing with me.  And it's hurting my head. Ahhhh!  Now he is erasing with my legs.  Hey!  Stop that.  It's hurting my legs.  Please stop swinging me.  Hey!  Something is cutting my head.  Finally I am out.  But where is my head?

By Javier L.
Barnum Elementary

The Soul

The heart. The peace.
The liberty. The brain.
The body just for me.
My soul will tell me what to do.
You can do the same for you.
The fights. The cries.
Just hurt my mind.
Fight for justice, liberty, peace.
We will always find a way to keep you safe.
That's the name.

By Ashley E.
Eagleton Elementary

December 8, 2009

Can you do this?

In light of the 2010 World Cup Draw which happened last Friday in South Africa, I wanted to share with you all a video that highlights some of the best goals in soccer history.  I invite you take a minute on this freezing cold Colorado day to be entertained by some great soccer.

December 3, 2009

10 in 2010!

Please help us reach our goal of beginning SCORES programming in two additional schools next Fall.  Your support enables us to continue reaching and inspiring the urban youth of Denver.  Click on the "Donate Now" icon found on the right side of the page, or send us a check to 4900 W 29th Ave, Denver, CO, 80212.  All donations made are tax deductible.  Thank you in advance for your continued support.


December 1, 2009

The "Off Season Debate"

Because our SCORES off-season is just beginning, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss a highly talked about issue of whether coaches and athletes benefit from an off-season.  Responsible Sports, a program which supports volunteer youth coaches and parents, recently published an article on whether parents and coaches should insist on an off-season.  They argue that both sides of the debate offer valuabe advice: 

"On the side advocating for an off-season are those parents and coaches who point to examples of young athletes suffering burnout, or worse, injury, as a result of too much activity.

On the other side, the argument about avoiding specialization at an early age leads many of us to enroll our kids in many sports as they seek to “sample” what’s out there. And how can you sample and experience new sports, different teams with different teammates and coaches, if you don’t embrace the idea of playing in multiple sports seasons? Add to that, the arguments and very real data that supports everything from better health to better grades to better esteem when kids play sports. If we embrace all of these wonderful outcomes from a youth sports experience, shouldn’t we give our kids the maximum exposure to all of this “goodness”?"

Obviously, this is a debate that will not be soon be solved, but it is good food for thought.

Please enjoy this video from Responsible Sports which talks about the "ELM Tree of Mastery".