INDIANAPOLIS — The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) has designated the month of October as National High School Activities Month to help schools throughout the nation promote the values inherent in high school athletic and performing arts activities.

Started in 1980 as National High School Activities Week, the NFHS expanded the celebration to a month last year to provide additional time for the 19,000-plus high schools to hold special activities at the local level.

“National High School Activities Month is an opportunity to remind the public that already in place in every community is a comprehensive program addressing society’s most current concerns,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and educational services.

Hopkins noted that high school activities help meet these issues by:

·        Finding and nurturing the best effort of each young participant;

·        Encouraging students to stay in school, perform better academically and become better citizens;

·        Demanding respect for fair play and appreciation for the equitable application of procedures, rules and regulations;

·        Providing healthy lifestyle instruction; and

·        Challenging racism, sexism and classism through the active pursuit of teamwork and school spirit.

Four specific-emphasis weeks are planned within the month-long celebration: National Sportsmanship and Fan Appreciation Week (October 1-6), National Performing Arts Activities Week (October 8-13), National Coaches/Sponsors/Advisors/Officials Week (October 15-20) and National Community Service/Youth Awareness Week (October 22-27).

“High school sports and activity programs provide one of the best bargains in our community and nation and will continue to do so as long as our nation supports them as an integral part of the education of our young people,” said Bob Gardner, NFHS executive director. “Not only do these programs teach the more than 11 million young people who participate in them valuable life skills lessons, such as ethics, integrity and healthy lifestyles, they also provide the best entertainment value in our nation.”

The NFHS has provided suggested activities for schools during each of the week-long events. All materials for National High School Activities Month, including The Case for High School Activities, are available on the NFHS Web site at www.nfhs.org (About NFHS/About Us Resources/2012 National High School Activities Month Materials).