October 27, 2022
Dear LREI Families,
What is up with pickleball? Kind of amazing how quickly this new sport went from “never heard of it” to “Holy Moley, it’s everywhere.” In the fall of 2020, as we returned from the lockdown, the first pickleballers arrived, migrants from somewhere northeast of LREI, having been forced from their home location by a “reprogramming” of the park. They found a vast space perfect for pickleball, namely Houston ball field. Over the next couple of months, we negotiated the use of the space and, with a few exceptions, we shared the space peacefully. The pickleballers even gave LREI pickleball equipment! And then, well, against all odds pickleball became a phenomenon. No longer just an unfamiliar giant-ping-pong-like pastime but a full-fledged sport, on its way to having a professional league. Alas, as others heard of the promised land at the corner of Houston and Sixth, they descended. The newer folks were not so willing to share, felt no need to be part of the larger community, and generally, in my opinion, have not shown themselves to be good NYers.
NYers deal with a lack of resources every day. Crowded sidewalks, busy subways, and shared spaces all around. How do we do this? Two important ways. First, we follow the rules – walk on the right, let them off before you get on, first to the court gets to play first but not forever, basketball courts for basketball when possible, kickball for kickball when possible, and share the rest.
Second, think about others and not only yourself. This is the only way that this wonderful, crowded, complicated, and energized city can function. Life requires generosity, sacrifice, and patience. Sometimes your plans don’t work the way you hoped that they would or you play a little less or you just enjoy the day even if you have to wait for another pickleball match to end. Why aren’t some of the pickballers following these rules? I have a few theories but will share just this one. They are too far away from their time in a classroom where their teachers taught them to share. They have forgotten or never experienced, the lessons learned when “working together to solve complex problems.” This need to care for people you don’t know, to understand your responsibilities to others who live a world away or who are simply waiting to play kickball after school on a beautiful autumn day. They assume that first come, first served, is a way of life, and that limited resources mean that some get all and all get none.
What are we going to do? Permits for the ballfield are not the answer. Why? If we apply for permits we will get less time than we have now and we will join the “arms race.” We have to continue to work with our elected representatives and the Parks Dept. folks to make sure that they know about our competition for space. I need to make sure that the teachers and students know what to do if/when there are challenging interactions. And I think we need to find ways (I have a few ideas) to help the pickleballers be better sharers. If anyone can do this, LREI students can. Stay tuned.
A last thought. This inability to examine and adjust one’s “needs” (and some are more like “wants”) in relation to the “needs” and “wants” of others is not just a problem on the playground. It is an issue in many, many places and we are seeing it in the current political campaigns, in the statements and actions of our elected officials, and in conversations about democracy and the future of our country.
I worry about our near-term future when we see so many young adults who can’t see beyond their own needs, beyond the far side of the pickleball court, especially when the going gets tough. I am sure that in the world of politics some of our pickleball friends are saying that there should be a compromise, but they don’t see the same need when recreating. I worry about our children when these are the models they see in the adults they bump into. It makes what we do at school, and what you do at home, all that much more challenging and important.
Stay tuned for pickleball updates and please see the information below regarding the Halloween Fair this weekend.
Best,
Halloween Spooktacular
DATE / TIME / LOCATION: Saturday, October 29 from 1-4p.m.
at the Thompson Street Gym
(145 Thompson Street between Houston and Prince.)
ACTIVITIES ON OFFER: Our Skeleton Crew has been hard at work making the return of this beloved LREI tradition bigger, better, scarier, more fun, and more fabulous than ever. There will be fun and activities for every age including crafts, games, prizes, DJ Natalie, Raggedy Supreme Magic, a glow room, and an awesome scary haunted house.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: We still need about 30 volunteers for Saturday to run games, activities, and craft tables. (We could also use some setup and cleanup help). There are multiple shift options available on the sign-up sheet and we are encouraging students from the 6th through 12th grade to volunteer with some friends on a separate student tab. SIGN UP HERE
BAKE SALE ITEMS NEEDED FOR THE EVENT: In addition to all of the games and activities, there will also be some spooktacular treats on sale at the event. Please consider bringing along some yummy treats – homemade or store-bought and healthy treats to sell at the event bake sale to raise money to cover the cost of the event. (No nuts or seeds please).