1. Did you know…. An Overview of IHSA Activities “The IHSA serves member schools by providing leadership for equitable participation in interscholastic athletics and activities that enrich the educational experience.”

2. Did you know… that the IHSA offers state series in 35 sports and activities and governs the interscholastic competition of all emerging sports and activities?

3. From a cost standpoint, activity programs are an exceptional bargain.

4. How good of a bargain? Did you know… that at a cost of only one to three percent (or less in many cases) of an overall school budget… making high school activity programs one of the best bargains around!?!

5. Did you know …that IHSA programs such as music (solo & ensemble and organizational contest), speech (individual events), drama/group interpretation, debate, journalism, chess, scholastic bowl, and spirit activities (sideline cheerleading, dance, poms, drill, & flags) are where young people learn lifelong lessons?

6. Activities foster citizenship. Activities support the school’s mission. Activities are inherently educational. Activities develop success later in life.

7. Over 75% of the USA Today’s Academic Team were involved in interscholastic sports and activities. Students who participate in school activities tend to serve as school leaders and role models. School activities provided opportunity to develop self- discipline.

8. Students who spend no time in extracurricular activities are 57% more likely to drop out of school, 49% more likely to use drugs, 37% more likely to become teen parents and 27% more likely to be arrested.

9. Activities play a central role in student’s healthy development. Student’s unsupervised time is better monitored through activities. Student’s grades improve Students involved in activities readily seek college information.

10. Students involved in interscholastic activities stay more involved in the community after graduation. Students are more socially aware and involved. Interscholastic participation is correlated to a positive impact on female and minority students.

11. Activities contribute to the development of “school spirit”. Students involved in activities report a greater satisfaction to the entire high school experience. Participation in activities yield positive results after high school as well.

12. Interscholastic activities provide: –Boundaries for students –Achievement motivation for students –Planning and decision making skills for students

13. Both college and the work force consider involvement in extracurricular activities as well. 70% of the nation’s top universities consider participation in the arts for admissions. 95% of Fortune 500 companies have executives that participated in sports and activities while in High School.

14. Teamwork skills are developed. Intrinsic rewards are strengthened. Activities makes school fun.

15. Co-curricular activities teach lessons that lead to better citizenship… –Respect –Honesty –Reasoning –Responsibility

16. Activity programs fulfill students’ basic needs, help in students’ attitudes toward self and school and minimizes discipline and dropout problems.

17. NFHS.org –The Case for High School Activities –Survey Resources The Citizenship Through Sports and Fine Arts (Curriculum) National High School Activities Week (October) Student Activities: an Integral Part of Education (video)

18. Schools can enter any IHSA activity through the Schools Center at IHSA.org Nov. 1 Entry Deadline Music (Solo & Ensemble and Organization Contests) Competitive Cheerleading Speech (Individual Events) Drama/Group Interpretation Debate Scholastic Bowl Chess Feb. 1 Entry Deadline Journalism

19. Questions can be addressed to the specific administrator Entry questions can be addressed to Tammy Craig at tcraig@ihsa.org Check the activity tracker to follow your entries

21. Now you know…. An Overview of IHSA Activities “The IHSA serves member schools by providing leadership for equitable participation in interscholastic athletics and activities that enrich the educational experience.”