This petition allows students to participate in voluntary music pods/ensembles, similar to what is currently permitted for sports pods (as defined by NFHS guidelines as groups of 10 or less). Friday, August 7, 2020, Clovis Unified music directors were notified that music pods would no longer be permissible as ordered by the California Department of Health and disseminated by the Fresno County Department of Public Health. According to the California Department of Public Health, https://files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/guidance-schools.pdf:  “Activities where there is an increased likelihood of transmission from contaminated exhaled droplets such as band and choir practice and performances, are not permitted”  and “Activities that involve singing must only take place outdoors.”   

We, the undersigned, believe the performing arts students of California should have the same opportunity as athletes following the current CDC guidelines for sports. We see the decision to deem music pods impermissible as a double standard.  As of the date of this petition, sports pods continue, despite a disparity seen in the actual implementation of the required CDC measures within our local area. We believe cheer is no different than color guard, and percussion or orchestra with a face mask poses no more risk than baseball, softball, volleyball, or tennis. We reject the notion students playing wind instruments outdoors, and six or more feet apart are dissimilar to athletes in cross country or football.  

Recent studies show there is no higher risk for performing arts when proper protocols and precautions are in place:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y-sfzCNJA5zk0XiVjaPOv4-rsrZSb5Ce/view?fbclid=IwAR1XNaIX2fMmH2fcILLaHuVcrBFGrQeHyXfrX2BNIMEtC8zfabenCoxEdSE

https://www.nfhs.org/articles/second-round-of-performing-arts-aerosol-study-produces-encouraging-preliminary-results/

https://www.nfhs.org/aerosol-study-offers-strategies-for-conducting-high-school-performing-arts-programs/

• Students are required to stay home if sick.
• Coaches and staff ask students the required COVID-19 screening health questions.
• There is a ratio of one teacher/coach per 10 or fewer students per pod.
• Musicians bring their equipment and do not share stands, mallets, instruments, pencils, etc.
• Students spacing is six or more feet apart.
• Each music pod spacing is at least 20 yards apart or more from the next pod. 
• Pods will be held in outdoor practices. 
• Coaches wear face coverings. Coaches can only remove face coverings if they are playing along with a wind instrument to their face and must be over 10 feet away from students. 
• Players will clean their hands before practice, either by going to the handwashing stations or hand sanitizer stations. 
• All equipment sanitized after each use.
• Pod rehearsal blocks are limited to 90-minutes or less. 
• Proper and detailed documentation of attendance and roster kept for each pod.
• Fifteen minutes or more allocated for the disinfection of equipment between sessions.
• The sessions have staggered start and end times, to eliminate large groups congregating in parking lots and drop off areas.

Our music students should be afforded the same opportunity as athletes. As might be the case for some athletes with their sport, music might be the only thing that keeps some students engaged in school. Making music education inaccessible is a palpable loss for our students. 

We, the undersigned, argue we must preserve music education. We speak for our children and demand music and performing arts pods/ensembles exist on equal footing with sports pods.