Petition calls on Solon Schools to allow extracurriculars during online learning - cleveland.com

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SOLON, Ohio -- An online petition is appealing to the Solon City Schools to allow extracurricular activities, including athletics, to continue as the district plans to begin the school year with remote learning.

Nearly 500 people had signed the petition -- titled “Permit extracurricular activities at Solon during virtual learning” -- as of 8 p.m. Monday (Aug. 3).

The petition was started Saturday (Aug. 1) on the change.org website by an anonymous person with the user name “Concerned Parent.”

Addressed to Fred Bolden, interim superintendent of Solon Schools, and the Solon Board of Education, it begins, “We the undersigned are writing in support of continuing sports and other extracurricular activities in Solon Schools this fall, even if the district is in a full distance-learning model.

“Many of us also support a return to in-person learning as soon as possible,” it continues. “But with the current plan for all-distance learning for the first quarter, we believe that maintaining sports, band, clubs, activities and the arts during that time is vital to our students’ health, both mental and physical.”

The school district announced Friday (July 31) on its website -- and confirmed Monday (Aug. 3) at the Solon Board of Education meeting -- that it plans to start the school year remotely for the first nine weeks. Those plans also include the suspension of all extracurricular activities, including athletics, during this same period.

On July 13, the district had informed families that parents would have two options for students this fall: an “all-in” every-day model and a fully virtual model.

But on Monday (Aug. 3), Bolden said the district had changed its decision based on recommendations Thursday (July 30) from the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.

The Board of Health recommended that in all Cuyahoga County schools, all classes be virtual at the start of the school year and that all extracurricular activities be suspended, due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“We understand and share in the disappointment our student athletes and their families are feeling about the pause in our fall athletic programs,” Bolden said in a statement Monday (Aug. 3).

“At each step of our return-to-school and phased return-to-play planning, we have relied on the expertise, guidance and recommendations of public health officials. We will continue to do that for the safety of our students and staff.”

In his statement, Bolden added that the district is in communication with its legal counsel regarding the “conflicting orders between the Ohio Department of Health and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.”

“We will continue to consult with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health in case anything in their recommendations changes or is clarified,” he said.

“We look forward to seeing our Comet athletes back in action as soon as possible.”

On Saturday (Aug. 1), the Ohio Department of Health updated its order that provides guidelines for contact sports practices and non-contact sport competitions and contact competitions.

The order modified the department’s original order, issued in early July, on what sports are defined as contact sports. The order allows non-contact sports to practice and hold competitions.

It also allows contact sports to practice, but limits competition for contact sports to intra-club and squad competition, unless the competition is done in compliance with certain requirements.

As noted in the petition, the Ohio High School Athletic Association also announced that schools may proceed with fall sports practices, as of Aug. 1.

“We also encourage Solon Schools to follow the OHSAA recommendations and allow fall sports to begin practice and competition, as outlined for contact and non-contact sports,” the petition states.

The petition further states, “Giving students the opportunity to participate in extracurriculars during distance learning will allow students to connect in meaningful ways with peers, coaches and advisors” and would minimize issues such as isolation from these individuals.

“It’s my kid’s senior year,” wrote Erica Kanj, a parent in the district who signed the petition. “Fine with virtual learning, but let her have the things that inspire her.”

Another petition signer, David Patton, wrote: “Let them play! These kids have worked too hard to end their season over a vanishing low-risk issue.”

Here is a link to the petition: https://bit.ly/31eB6Cy

Read more from the Chagrin Solon Sun.

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