School in the Square News
Hard Work Pays Off as S2 Students Attend NBA Cares Event
March 13, 2026
At School in the Square, we believe hard work should open doors. Last week, it opened one to the NBA.
Through our partnership with Sports Health, ten of our middle school students were invited to attend a day trip hosted by NBA Cares. Students weren't just handed tickets. They were selected by their coaches based on grades, effort, attitude, behavior, and Kickboard points. Every student in that room earned their seat.
Why This Mattered
Jesse Hammock, our School in the Square Middle's
Director of Athletics, made a point to attend personally, not just to cheer the students on, but to build relationships and network on behalf of S2 so that opportunities like this keep coming our way.
That's the bigger picture: the more we show up in these spaces, the more doors we open for our students down the road.
And there's something else.
"Students need to see that hard work truly pays off," says Hammock. "They also need opportunities to see people who look like them in bigger spaces. They belong in these spaces, and one of the best ways to shift and change mindsets is to immerse them in environments where they can see what’s possible."
"Students need to see that hard work truly pays off," says Hammock. "They also need opportunities to see people who look like them in bigger spaces. They belong in these spaces, and one of the best ways to shift and change mindsets is to immerse them in environments where they can see what’s possible."
What They Did
Coaches at the event ran students through drills and activities designed to push their heart rates up, giving them a hands-on lesson in cardiovascular health. Here's the thing: students hear the word "cardiovascular" in class all the time.
"The students were excited because they weren’t just told what it meant. They were able to feel and understand it," says Hammock.
"The students were excited because they weren’t just told what it meant. They were able to feel and understand it," says Hammock.
The students also bonded with each other through movement, and that matters too as we continue to build a stronger, more connected athletic program at S2.
The Takeaway for Our Community
Moments like this are a reminder of what we're working toward. Our coaches are watching. They notice who shows up, who puts in the effort, and who carries themselves with the right attitude, day in and day out. Opportunities like an NBA Cares event come to those who earn them. Our students proved that last week, and we couldn't be more proud.
