This petition is for all students, parents, and families in the Bellingham Public School District. We are calling for a district-wide policy that puts student safety first. If you are a student or a parent who has seen health and safety ignored at school, please sign this and share your story and which school you attend in the comments.

At Whatcom Middle School, we are taught the "Bellingham Promise," which says every student should feel safe, seen, and supported. However, current practices in Physical Education are making students feel like their physical health is an afterthought. We have seen situations where students were denied essential medical treatment, such as ice packs for painful injuries, simply because class was almost over. We have even been told that the office only accepts students with "broken bones," leaving students with other painful injuries without any help.

Physical health should never be a trade-off for a grade. During high-intensity activities like the Pacer test or endurance runs, students have been denied water until the entire test is completed. Withholding hydration during exercise is a safety risk and makes students feel that a timer is more important than their well-being. Even worse, when students try to advocate for their own safety—like seeking water or first aid—they have faced office referrals and lowered grades. This creates a culture where students are afraid to speak up when they are hurt or exhausted.

We understand that teachers may worry about students using these needs to avoid participating in PE activities. However, teachers can easily spot a pattern if a student is constantly asking for breaks. One-time injuries or the need for water during a difficult fitness test should never be ignored just to prevent someone from "getting out of" the work. Real safety should always come before the fear of someone skipping their participation.
We are calling on the Bellingham Public Schools administration to officially mandate a district-wide "Student Health and Safety Policy" for all PE classes. This policy must guarantee that no student is denied immediate medical attention, that water is always accessible, and that no student is ever penalized for prioritizing their health. We deserve to be treated with the same respect and care that is expected of us.