In March of 2020, the Albion BOE voted to no longer allow 7th graders to move up to JV/Varsity sports.  Up until then it had been allowed. We are hoping to overturn that rule and once again allow hard working and talented 7th grade athletes to compete at their appropriate  level of play.  Currently 8th grade athletes must pass an APP evaluation (Athletic Placement Process) in order to play JV/Varsity sports. This includes a skills assessment, a maturity evaluation, a health physical and these athletes must also maintain their grades.  After passing the APP, these exceptional student athletes become eligible to try out for JV/Varsity sports. 
To these exceptional student athletes, their preferred sport doesn’t start and end with that season, they work at it year round. Some 7th and 8th grade athletes are already competing at a much higher level outside of school sports. The only current option for an exceptional 7th grade athlete is to participate on their modified team. A modified team is for 7th and 8th grade students learning the sport. There are no tryouts or cuts made on modified teams.  Forcing a 7th grade athlete who has played their sport for years on travel or tournament teams, and who already competes at a higher skill level, to play with lesser skilled athletes could pose a safety risk to all athletes involved. There are incentives for these 7th grade athletes to maintain their grades and It teaches them responsibility. 
This will probably only affect a handful of 7th grade athletes each year. But these athletes have earned their opportunity to try and should be awarded with just that. 
We are simply asking to once again give 7th grade exceptional athletes the opportunity to play up on the JV and Varsity level. 
We will be attending a BOE meeting in May of 2022 to present our information gathered and this petition with the hopes of having the rule overturned. We are asking for your support and signature! 

below is the link to the article from the BOE decision 
https://orleanshub.com/albion-decides-7th-graders-no-longer-allowed-to-move-up-on-jv-varsity-teams/