Youth sports returning to Des Plaines schools
The new year will bring the return of funding of a popular extracurricular sports program to Des Plaines middle schools.
The Elementary District 62 school board voted at its December meeting to expand funding of interscholastic sports, largely turned over to the park district after financial problems early in the decade. The district also agreed to fund an intramural sports program. The district's finances have improved since voters approved a tax rate increase in 2005.
District 62 will provide interscholastic girls' and boys' basketball, two seasons of spirit squads, cross country and girls' and boys' volleyball at Algonquin, Chippewa and Iroquois schools, said district spokeswoman Mindy Ward.
Students will pay $50 for basketball and volleyball seasons. The spirit squad and cross country fee will be $25. Fees will be capped at $75 per student when a student participates in more than one sport during the school year.
The district will provide uniforms for all teams, except cross country. Students must provide their own transportation to and from practices and tournaments.
After the District 62 cutbacks, the Des Plaines Park District managed the Algonquin and Chippewa basketball and volleyball programs and the Iroquois basketball program at a fee of $195 per player per season. District 62 paid for
interscholastic basketball and volleyball busing, and the cross country intramural programs.
Intramural sports will include flag football, soccer, basketball, badminton, volleyball, track and field, and softball. Intramural participation is open to all sixth through eighth grade students and will take place between 3 and 4 p.m. Students can take the activity bus home. Intramurals will include travel to a limited number of District 62 schools for scrimmage-type games.
Because of its size, Iroquois will run an expanded volleyball intramural program instead of an interscholastic volleyball
program.
Parents wanting more information should contact Physical Education Coordinator Don Dudek at dudekd@d62.org.