Minneapolis Public Schools are not providing Middle School sports based in the k-8's or Middle Schools therefore affecting over 4500 plus students. All students are affected by the change even if they are not in to sports. They have increases (behavior) in activity and loss of pride and interest in the school they spend the day at. They are expected to blend in to the high school chosen for them by the district as their attendance area school even though it is open enrollment so they do not have to go to the school in their attendance area but to play sports they do. Is MPS trying to abolish choice and open enrollment? You have to wonder? Or was it what it looks like... a quick decision on how to manipulate a group of people to strengthen a few high schools that need help with enrollment and interest. This decision adversely affected many and the Minneapolis public schools has a history of rash decisions that disenfranchise people from them and creating barriers instead of breaking them. Parents want security and safety, they want community in their own home schools and they want their pre teens to experience the school that they are educated and not in a much more mature environment like a high school that they do not know anyone with older kids and more mature athletes. On the web site, MPS says it "Partnered" with the Minneapolis park and recreation board" and provided some alternatives. Those alternative sports were Football and Soccer. Not Volleyball, Softball, Basketball, Badminton, Track etc... These 2 sports are predominantly played by males and not females. We are telling our female students we do not need them to play sports? Little effort to put a thought out plan that was equitable to all. This is the MPS pattern. It was commented that Trent Tucker was under the gun to make a decision on athletic department budget cuts. How short sighted and reckless to give an Athletic Director 2 hours to make a decision? If this is true it speaks to the pattern of disorganization and lack of grasp MPS has on the "Whole Student" and their needs. Academics are the top but also the environment and building good people and citizens of the world. Please join me in getting students and friends that feel that middle school sports should return to the MPS Middle School programs this year. We have 121 in signatures and need more, more. more.... Thank you!