2008-2009 "Goals for Success"

The Portland Pirates, in conjunction with our sponsors
Healthy Maine Partnerships, Let's Go! and Aquafina, would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to a community outreach program called "Goals For Success".

"Goals For Success" is considered an assembly and would require the use of the school's gymnasium or auditorium. The program is aimed at students in grades 3-8, and we request that a minimum of 100 students be present. The program is intended to run 45-60 minutes with two (2) Portland Pirates players combining audience participation with their remarks.

During the 2007-08 season, the Pirates made three school visits as part of the Goals for Success program:

• Skillin Elementary, South Portland
• The Canal School, Westbrook
• Loranger Middle School, Old Orchard Beach

Pirates' players Geoff Peters, Mike McKenna, Gerald Coleman and Mike Hoffman along with Pirates broadcaster Greg Glynn all presented the program throughout the season. This past season, the program reached over 2,000 students. In the program's five year history, over 10,000 children have experienced the Pirates assembly.

The program was created to educate school children about the importance of leading healthy lifestyles and to influence them to set goals and to make correct choices in their lives. The Pirates speak to the group about their own experiences as professional athletes, their goals, and what healthy choices they have made to achieve success in their careers.

The program's objectives are to help educate kids about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle, help them understand the important life decisions they will need to make on a daily basis, and to influence them to set goals and be actively involved in extra-curricular activities. The topics that will be covered during the assembly are:

• The importance of setting goals for yourself (short- and long-term)
• Achieving your goals
• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle (includes no tobacco, drugs or alcohol)
• Maintaining proper nutrition and keeping your body fit by exercising
• The importance of balancing schoolwork with extra-curricular activities (work before play)
• Maintaining a positive attitude and good work ethic

If your school would like to inquire about scheduling a "Goals For Success" program for the 2008-09 season contact Greg Glynn by sending an e-mail to gglynn@portlandpirates.com. Please be sure to include your name, the name of your school and town along with the principal's name and contact information.