Fieldwork Project

By: Liz Shewchuck

Basic Questions:
What

is AUSL doing to help compensate for students whose experiences outside of school may not be as enriching as students from wealthier backgrounds? How is the Park District office that is connected to Tarkington School of Excellence helping to enhance the lives of Tarkington students in conjunction with AUSL?

What I did
Interviewed

Dominic at the Park District Attended several Tarkington Football games Interviewed a student about his experiences as a first-year Tarkington student on the football team Interviewed the Principal to get more information about the AUSL side of things

What I found out about the football team

What Sports does Tarkington Offer?

Tarkington Football
2012 AUSL South Champions!

What did I learn

AUSL is providing opportunities for students to feel like they are part of a team, and giving them the chance to get 3-4 hours of physical exercise in after school AUSL formed their own public leagues, so that all of the schools in the network play against each other. AUSL hires its own referees, and uses fields and gyms that are on the campuses of AUSL Network schools. Students would not have had the opportunity to play tackle football had they not gone to an AUSL school.

The Results of AUSL Schools in One Year:

What is the Park District Doing?

Provide

excellent and affordable opportunities for students and families to use and love Tarkington Park

Some of the Programs Include:

Homework

Zone Arts and Crafts Dodgeball Soccer Flag Football Basketball

What Further Questions do I have

What

do the teachers think of these programs? What other sports programs are offered at other AUSL schools that may not be offered at Tarkington?

How is this project related to FND511 content?

This project is related to FND511 because we had discussed the topics of merit and equality in class. AUSL schools have more money than most schools in CPS, and they are using that money to enhance the lives of their students. These students would not have been able to participate in these sports, activities, or field trips had they not gone to an AUSL school, and they are being exposed to much more in life than other CPS students. The park district is also helping to enhance the lives of children by providing low cost opportunities for them to complete homework, do arts and crafts, and play sports that they dont get to play every day in gym.