WHAT EFFECT DOES EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES HAVE ON STUDENT PREVENTION OF THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE?
By: Malakye Hall
In order to prevent Chicago Public School students from being introduced to the school-prison pipeline, CPS has made successful efforts to occupy students with different programs and activities. Students are introduced to this prison pipeline through lack of interest during school and these students see no need of attending school or any self worth within themselves. Students can fill this void for having some value or power by joining gangs, and since "gang members and the media glamorize the gang lifestyle" (middleearthnj.wordpress.com) students are more reluctant to choose the gang lifestyle to have a sense of belonging. By being occupied with the various extra-curricular activities that CPS offers, students can begin to show more interest of school and be kept out of the streets where the gang life resides.
Within CPS schools, there are extra-curricular activities available such as athletics, academics, or an art such as drama or band. These activities allow students a sense of belonging that many yearn to obtain, and this is a more positive measure compared to gangs. Besides in school extra curricular activities, there are outside programs that students may be apart of such as After School Matter, One Summer Chicago, and the Chicago Park District which are designed to engage students in activities to prevent them from following negative behavior. After School Matters (ASM) was made by Maggie Daley for the "tens of thousands of teens whose futures are now brighter" (afterschoolmatters.org); due to positive pressure by the staff and counselors who give perpetual reminders to students, they can thrive more based on activities executed in the program. The Chicago Park District (CPD) has similar interests as ASM, and One Summer Chicago gives the same programs with job opprotunities to students for a sense of power and responsibility along with the chance for students to make money. These programs along with in school extra-curricular activities will provide students the sense of self worth they lust to grasp.
Students who lack interest in school often have no sense of belonging and would find themselves committing acts of substandard conduct which gradually leads to a path and entrance to the school-prison pipeline. Since programs like ASM, school sports, CPD and One Summer Chicago provide a variety of programs and activities that can match any interest of a student, these students can find their sense of belonging that the yearn to look for. Having such resources available to them, the passageway of students to the school-prison pipeline will cease to exist with more students finding extra curricular activities that compliments their interests.
"onesummerchicago.org."onesummerchicago.org. Cook County"
"After School Matters." After School Matters."
"Crime Or Juvenile Delinquency."Gangs:Reasons Youth Join, Warning Signs and Prevention Tips."
"onesummerchicago.org."onesummerchicago.org. Cook County"
"After School Matters." After School Matters."
"Crime Or Juvenile Delinquency."Gangs:Reasons Youth Join, Warning Signs and Prevention Tips."