APS policy restricting high school students from attending football games is wrong. This decision needs to be reversed ASAP! Join us in demanding the school board and the superintendent change this policy.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The goal of this petition is two-fold.

1.) Show the Arlington Public School Board Members and the Superintendent the community's utter disappointment and displeasure with the policy banning high school students from attending football games in person within the County unless they meet a narrow set of criteria.  Ultimately, if a student tries to watch a game at any of the county's stadiums they will be denied entry unless their school happens to be playing at that same stadium.

2.) Convince the APS School Board Members and Superintendent to reverse the current policy and allow all high school students to attend any football game in the County regardless of whether or not their school is playing.

Last Friday, September 9th, 2022 at around 3:00 PM the Washington Liberty Principal sent an email to all parents and many students informing them that attendance to the football game later that night banned high school student fans unless they attended Washington Liberty or Chantilly (the opposing school).  None of the parents or students had any indication the county had been crafting this policy. The lack of transparency APS demonstrated in this matter is shameful.

Prior to the school year beginning, 2 of the 3 high schools had games and high school student fans from any school were allowed to attend. Washington Liberty had a very large crown on hand with only minor incidents.

APS's best interests are served by reversing this policy and providing all high school students in Arlington County the opportunity to attend any football game played at any county high school stadium. This is a small community. Many high school students attended elementary and middle school together and remain friends even though they are enrolled in different high schools. A large number of students from different high schools live in the same neighborhood. Furthermore some students attend high schools without football teams (H.B. Woodlawn, Arlington Tech, and the Arlington Career Center). By virtue of being an Arlington resident, all high school students should be afforded the opportunity to watch live football games in person regardless of what school they attend.

We recognize the concerns regarding fan safety. Denying high school student fans from other schools from attending games does nothing to increase safety. Most incidents occur after the game concludes. This can be mitigated with proper crowd dispersal procedures. The County has a $750 million school budget. If extra resources are required to implement a plan to accommodate all students who desire to attend a football game in person, then money must be reallocated to do so.  Furthermore, academically peer-reviewed studies show that a positive school climate and bond to the school are protective factors against violence on campuses. Banning high school students has the opposite effect. 

In conclusion, the current ban on high school students attending football games is wrong and places divisions in a community that boasts about its inclusion. The School Board Members and the Superintendent need to drop this policy and return to the one in place during the first week of the football season.

Besides supporting this petition, you are encouraged to contact the School Board and Superintendent. Contact information below:

Messages to the Board’s Online Form (In the subject field write "All High School Football Students Should Be Allowed to Attend Any Game played in Arlington”):

https://www.apsva.us/about-the-school-board/school-board-contact-information/#online

 

Individual Board Member Contact information:

Reid Goldstein, Chairman

Email: reid.goldstein@apsva.us / school.board@apsva.us

Office Phone: 703-228-6015

 

Christina Diaz-Torrez, Vice Chair

Email: cristina.diaztorres@apsva.us / school.board@apsva.us

Office Phone: 703-228-6015

 

Mary Kadera, Member

Email: mary.kadera@apsva.us / school.board@apsva.us

Office Phone: 703-228-6015

 

Dr. Barbary Kanniene, Member

Email: barbara.kanninen@apsva.us / school.board@apsva.us

Office Phone: 703-228-6015

 

David Priddy, Member

Email: david.priddy@apsva.us / school.board@apsva.us

Office Phone: 703-228-6015

 

Superintendent Contact Information:

Dr. Francisco Durán

Office Phone: 703-228-8634

Email: superintendent@apsva.us

 

Sign up to speak at the school board meeting (Next one is September 22nd)

https://www.apsva.us/school-board-meetings/sign-up-to-speak/