BCSS is meeting at the beginning of May to vote in favor of a motion that will remove gymnastics from all BC schools (see the 'Updates' section at the bottom of this petition for more information).

Here is my placeholder letter to our leaders:

To the Honorable Premier of British Columbia, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and the Ministry of Education:

We, the undersigned citizens of British Columbia, passionately urge you to reconsider the decision to cancel gymnastics programs in high schools across the province. As a diverse group of students, parents, educators, and community members, we believe that gymnastics is a vital part of the physical education curriculum, offering a multitude of benefits to students and fostering a sense of community within our schools.

Gymnastics, like any other sport, promotes physical health, discipline, and teamwork. It is a comprehensive sport that develops strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination, all of which contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, gymnastics teaches students valuable life skills such as goal-setting, resilience, and perseverance, which are crucial for their overall growth and development.

Cancelling gymnastics programs will disproportionately affect those students who rely on school programs for access to the sport. Not all families can afford to enroll their children in private clubs, and the closure of these programs will further marginalize those students who depend on these programs for their personal and athletic growth.

We understand that budget constraints and competing priorities may have led to this decision. However, we firmly believe that investing in the well-being of our youth is a top priority. The long-term benefits of having a healthy, active, and engaged student population far outweigh the short-term savings that might be achieved by cutting gymnastics programs.

We respectfully request the following actions be taken:

• Reassess the decision to cancel gymnastics programs in high schools across the province, considering the aforementioned benefits and the potential impact on students and communities.
• Engage in dialogue with stakeholders, including educators, coaches, students, and parents, to gain a better understanding of the importance of gymnastics in our schools and to explore alternative solutions to maintain these programs.
• Develop a sustainable funding model to support gymnastics and other sports programs in our high schools, ensuring equitable access for all students regardless of their socio-economic background.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and hope that, together, we can find a solution to keep gymnastics programs thriving in British Columbia high schools.

The future of our youth and their well-being depend on it.