500 signatures reached
To: SMUSD Board and Superintendent
OPPOSITION TO LOCKER DEMOLITION AT SMUSD SCHOOLS
I am signing this petition to express my agreement with three points:
1) I oppose the demolition of lockers that happened at SMUSD Huntington Middle School, and the manner in which it happened with insufficient consideration for student, parent and/or teacher preferences
2) I support the reinstatement of lockers at SMUSD Huntington Middle School
3) I would oppose the demolition of lockers at SMUSD High School
1) I oppose the demolition of lockers that happened at SMUSD Huntington Middle School, and the manner in which it happened with insufficient consideration for student, parent and/or teacher preferences
2) I support the reinstatement of lockers at SMUSD Huntington Middle School
3) I would oppose the demolition of lockers at SMUSD High School
Why is this important?
The San Marino Unified School District unanimously voted to remove the lockers at Huntington Middle School on June 9, just five days after the school year ended. As San Marino parents, we were disappointed that the Board made a change affecting the daily lives of students without first seeking input from parents and students. Since then, we have learned that many other families share our concerns.
At the Board meeting, the interim Principal cited hallway congestion, tardiness, custodial workload, and District counsel's advice concerning potential liability from contraband concealed in lockers. However, there is another side to the equation, and it falls squarely on our kids. Roller backpacks remain prohibited at Huntington Middle School. Without lockers, students must carry textbooks, binders, supplies, and other materials they may need throughout the school day. Even if the school allows roller backpacks, not all materials may fit into backpacks.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a child's backpack weigh no more than 15% of the child's body weight and specifically recommends storing items in a locker when possible to lighten the load.
The removal of lockers presents additional concerns for students with orthopedic conditions, mobility limitations, temporary injuries, and other disabilities. Did the District determine how much students would actually have to carry during a typical school day? Did it consider how students who cannot safely carry that weight would manage their materials?
We are asking the Board to restore lockers at Huntington. We are also asking the District not to remove lockers at San Marino High School without first allowing the community to weigh in.
Parents have started an online petition calling for both actions. More than one hundred people signed it on the first day. We invite the wider San Marino community, including residents without children enrolled in our schools, to sign and share it. The quality of our schools affects our entire community.
What should not be controversial is that parents and students deserve a voice in a decision that affects students every day. We did not get that opportunity at Huntington.