The Windsor Essex County Health Unit has recently made the decision to cancel all extracurricular activities at schools around the county until further notice. We want them to reconsider this decision and get Extra-Curricular activities back to schools around Windsor Essex county in a covid safe manner. We understand that this affects us all in our own ways and want a change to be made, so we need your backup on this matter. Sign the petition and get your say. Help us reach our goal of getting Extra Curriculars back into our schools all around Windsor Essex County! 

Please read the attached open letter to the WECHU 

" An open letter to:

WECHU Chief Executive Officer, Nicole Dupuis and
WECHU Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Shanker Nesathurai,

This letter is concerning the cancelation of extracurricular activities for schools in the Windsor Essex County area. The sense of community in our schools and the mental health of students have been greatly impacted by your decision. As students who understand the value these activities, and the full impact of your decision, we respectfully request that you reconsider this “all-or-none” position.

People may think that community programs are an adequate replacement for the extracurricular activities offered in our schools, but we have serious concerns about that as a solution. Many students will experience barriers to accessing these activities due to the expense. Not having regular and available transportation to these activities also poses a problem for many. Additionally, when we look at students who participate in school clubs (E.g. Gay-Straight Alliance, Environment Club, Debate Team, School Newspaper, and Yearbook Club) there are no
community-based alternatives for most of these. Although these clubs could operate virtually, it is not the same as meeting in person and virtual extracurriculars do not meet the current and authentic needs of our students. Most of Ontario has found a way to run a variety of the activities that have been canceled in our area with the proper covid protocols.

Although we would all love a full return to our normal school experience, we understand that is not possible at this time. We have researched some risk reduction strategies being implemented by Health Units and School Athletic Associations throughout Ontario and would like to offer the following suggestions for your consideration:
• Allow low-risk club meetings.
• Offer outdoor sports.
• Offer lower contact sports.
• Allow teams to begin training only.
• Reorder the sports seasons based on level of risk.
• Consider league “bubbles” of four to five schools.
• Offering rapid testing program for participants.
• Limiting the number of extracurricular activities a student can participate in at one
time
• Consider vaccination mandate for some or all of officials, coaches, participants,
spectators

The current case rate and vaccination rates seem to be the factors impacting this decision. Please provide us with the required local case rate and vaccination rate for the 12–18 year age group that would allow a full return of extracurricular activities.

Thank you for the work you have done keeping our communities safe. We do not support the full cancellation of extracurricular activities and request a timely response to our letter. Similarly, we do not support the idea of Thursday’s planned “walk-out” protest some schools are circulating on social media as that will have an adverse impact on local case rates. However, we fear that walkout may be an inevitable result if this decision is not reconsidered.

Sincerely,
The Kingsville District High School Leadership Class: "

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