We respectfully request the governing powers including School Districts and Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) s allow high school instruction to be IN PERSON and athletics to continue this coming school year, 2020-2021.

It is clear these times are unprecedented and unchartered. There is nothing more important than the safety and well being of our youth and families. For that reason, it is responsible to act based upon the evidence versus fear. Covid is a serious illness for those with underlying conditions, co-morbidities, but the true pandemic that is worrysome is the fear that is crippling many of those in our country. To date in Arizona, there are 8 deaths of patients 20 years old and younger out of the 112,671 cases. This equates to a 0.007% rate of deaths for high school students. Covid does not present a serious medical threat to the high school age population. When we review the data and consider everything that could potentially happen to our students, like motor vehicle accidents, stepping out our front doors seems dangerous. Car accidents hold a much larger percentage of high school lives affected. Again, for those students who do not wish to participate in classroom learning, or who have underlying medical conditions, or who have compromised family members who they live with may choose to stay learning in a remote setting from home. Students cannot afford to be out of the classroom for any amount of time.

Additionally, school athletics are a practice field for real life. Student athletes will learn principles and life lessons from sports that will teach them to confront the coming challenges of life with confidence and courage. Some students are striving for an athletic scholarship, some students desperately need this interaction and outlet for emotional and social well-being. We owe it to our students to offer them the option to participate in athletics to support their prosperity. Again, any students participating in athletics or attending athletic functions should sign a disclaimer and waiver to take on their own personal responsibility. This will allow the school districts or any other body to be exempt from any potential liabilities. Students and families who do not wish to participate in athletics or attending athletics may opt out.

In closing, we again respectfully ask that the School Districts / AIA/ governing powers continue to allow high school instruction IN PERSON and athletics for those who wish to participate. Frankly, our students deserve it. Thank you for your consideration.