Re: Proposal to open FX high schools 8:30
Posted by:
S.O.S.
()
Date: January 13, 2009 08:36AM
"We are writing to you on behalf of our plans to resurrect the “Save Our Sport” (aka S.O.S.) initiative which was assembled during the 1991-92 swim/dive season. In case you weren’t around, the purpose of the S.O.S. initiative was to dissuade the school board from cutting our sport after the season was over.
In case you are unaware, our swim/dive programs are in grave danger and may be no more after the conclusion of this season. Unfortunately, this is not due to budget cuts, but the SLEEP2005 initiative, which is currently under serious consideration by the Fairfax County School Board. This initiative, also known as the "Later Start Times for High Schools," supports a later bell schedule. This later bell schedule would directly impact all FCPS swim/dive programs. If the proposal is ratified, FCPS high schools will begin later and thus end later. If the initiative passes, FCPS administrators have stated that beginning next year: all swim/dive programs in all Fairfax County Public Schools will be cut. This is because the Student Activities & Athletics office of FCPS received direct confirmation from the Fairfax County Park Authority that they will be unable to change our usage times to accommodate later arrivals. Thus, dictated by the new bell schedule, FCPS will have no choice but to cut swim/dive next year.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for 7:00 PM on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009 at Luther Jackson Middle School. In addition to us being a swim parent and a coach, we are also both FCPS teachers. We firmly believe that the loudest voices in this fight should be the swimmers. We are currently considering organizing a student-athlete/parent rally at the board meeting and would like to get your input. We know it may be hard for those who live in the outer edges of the county, but if we can get some representation from each team, and possibly a larger contingent of those who live close to Luther Jackson Middle School, our rally will be a success.
Sometime in the next few days, you will be receiving official information from your DSA which will confirm and elaborate on this issue. We would like to ask your help in establishing a parent contact for your team. This could be your team representative or another parent who has already voiced concerns and is willing to join the fight. We will be distributing new information as it becomes available and it would be great to have a parent contact to help us spread the word.
Please contact us via the “Save Our Sport” link at www.wildcatswim.org – so we know you are aware that our sport is in danger. We will also be posting a petition on our website, as well as beginning a distribution list of team reps and volunteers. We welcome any ideas or input you may have. We know how hard you work and how dedicated you are. The time, effort, and caring, not to mention expertise you give to our children as members of your high school teams is phenomenal. We look forward to working with all of you to SAVE OUR SPORT."
This may affect other HS sports too!