AJC.com > Blogs > Get Schooled > Archives > 2007 > July > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USSchool Spirit: Has It Gone Too Far?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I honestly do not know what to make of this story from Aileen Dodd about a new high-end subdivision in Lilburn that’s marketing itself to fans and boosters who love all things related to Parkview High School.
A street is named after the stadium. Children’s rooms in the model home play up the campus’ orange and blue colors.
Of course, it’s not the first subdivision to tie its identity to a local institution. My stepfather grew up in a Baltimore neighborhood that was the proud home of an aircraft manufacturer.
There the streets were named after airplane parts. How’d you like to live on Fuselage Avenue or Cockpit Street? Maybe you would prefer the more-dignified Left Wing Drive.
I, myself, have never heard of a subdivision connecting itself so closely to a high school — although, I’m sure others exist. I suppose it could be part of the recently reported trend of naming new public schools after community features, rather than civic leaders.
But because the Legends at Parkview touts the school’s athletic prowess, in particular, I’m wondering if it’s more a part of our country’s obsession with sports. As Aileen notes in her story, members of Parkview’s football team and the head coach were on hand for the subdivision’s grand opening.
Question: Is anyone out there having that this-has-gone-too-far feeling?
Comments
By HB
July 18, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this
ick…
It’d be a hoot, though, if 2 or 3 years from now the neighborhood were redistricted to another high school.
By thomas
July 18, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
Has School Spirit Gone Too Far? I don’t think so. I’m all for school spirit. Heck, most of my coffee mugs and umbrellas are the result of school spirit. On that note, I have seen some of the oddest things purchased as a result of school spirit.
At the elementary level, schools I have worked at purchased pencils, pens, t-shirts, sweatshirts, coffee mugs (two kinds), clipboards, tote bags, post-it-note holders, license plates, umbrellas, “leather” CD holders, and “leather” personal organizers— all emblazened with the school name, etc. Most of that garbage was promptly thrown out of sight (unless it was a shirt to be worn on “Spirit Friday” or maybe a coffee mug).
At my local Kroger store, the store sells t-shirts, sweatshirts, underwear, God knows whatelse with the name of the local high school on it.
I am all for having a high opinion of ones school (as long as my money isn’t spent to do it.) I would rather have a classroom with the basic necesities and materials (only TWO of the schools- both in the same county- had this), than all the goodies and trinkets in the world. The ironic thing is that the school that had the most “junk” and THE BEST EQUIPPED CLASSROOM I HAVE EVER TAUGHT IN WAS IN A SCHOOL SYSTEM MOST OF US WOULD TURN OUR NOSE UP AT. Go figure.
By mmm
July 18, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
You clearly haven’t been to Gainsville Florida—-where the whole town is nuts for the Gators. We are just seeing it moved to the High School level.
By OldSchool
July 18, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
Back in ‘89, I was asked to design a new logo for our school’s football team. Prior to that, a C shaped much like the UGA G was on every football helmet. Now it’s my diamond CHS…oh! to have a dime for everytime that logo has been used on various items through the years!
Our school mascot is a very unusual one and likely for that reason, our community does incorporate variations of it, the logo, and other related designs into quite a bit of advertising, gimmicks and such. I like it.
Our schools need whatever support they can get from whatever sources for whatever reason.
By SET
July 18, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
It’s their town. They can name the streets as they please. Presumably the people their know what’s best for them and their property values, etc.
I tend to support pushing decision making down as long as the decision makers have to live with the consequences.
Same with schooling.