by Audra H Anders for The Aha! Connection
As the mom of two boys who were very active in high school sports (baseball, football and basketball), I’m concerned for the high school athletes of today. Keep in mind, sports are entirely optional for both students and coaches. Nobody is forcing them to participate. Kids/parents who aren’t comfortable with sports can opt out…or never join the team in the first place.
Yesterday afternoon, DeKalb Schools hosted a virtual town hall on athletics during Covid. Many believe they seemed to be setting the stage for halting athletics. Toward the end of the video, the Superintendent referenced “very serious decision in the coming days.”
Whatever your opinion, let it be noted that if DeKalb Schools receives a high volume of calls and emails it could sway their decision. Speak now or forever hold your peace!
Video Replay Link of Meeting (50 min)
Following are a few email addresses in easy cut and paste format if you have an opinion to share:
- Cheryl_Watson-Harris@dekalbschoolsga.org
- priscilla_cole@dekalbschoolsga.org
- stacey_c_blake@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Benjamin_Braaten@dekalbschoolsga.org
- james_jackson@dekalbschoolsga.org
- melanie_l_pearch@dekalbschoolsga.org
- vasanne_s_tinsley@dekalbschoolsga.org
- Stan_Jester@dekalbschoolsga.org
Following is a sample email that a friend of mine sent yesterday:
Mrs. Watson-Harris and DeKalb County Schools,
Thank you for hosting the town hall on returning to sports this afternoon. My daughter is a volleyball player at Dunwoody High School, and I believe that sports are VITAL to the physical and mental health of our students – especially during the current Covid situation when they are separated from so many familiar friends, family, and routines. A couple of the presenters on the forum today seemed to be pretty pessimistic about the current situation, and it honestly felt like a “glass half empty” outlook. I believe the outlook is brighter now than it has been in some time – the trend line is downward sloping sharply! Across the country and here in Georgia, new cases are dropping quickly, and this is confirmed by the even sharper drop in new cases when logged by onset of symptoms. (Please see both graphs below updated through Tuesday 8/4). Both screenshots from the AJC COVID-19 Dashboard. In addition to the friendly trends, I would highlight that sports are entirely optional for both students and coaches. Nobody is forcing them to participate if they are not comfortable. Please empower your coaches and students to make their own decisions. PLEASE give this more time to play out. We are turning the corner – please give the kids a chance to play!
