Dear State PTA Association,
In the midst of a national childhood epidemic, I believe it's vital to help Latino and all children and families have better opportunities to get physical activity they need for physiological, emotional, and behavioral development.
Schools play a huge role in this effort--even when class is not in session.
But many schools lock up their gyms, courts, pools, fields, tracks, and playgrounds before and after class and on weekends, removing critical places to play, especially in Latino neighborhoods that tend to lack safe, accessible public spaces for physical activity, which are critical for a whole-child approach to physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.
I strongly urge you to issue a memo to each PTA in your state urging them to seek a "shared use agreement" and/or "open use policy" that can increase access to active spaces in Latino and all communities. These formal policies can pave way for schools to unlock their facilities after class and on weekends, creating new nearby venues for physical activity for kids and families.
[your comment here]
Please urge local PTAs to push hard for shared and/or open use of schools.
It's a signal from you that preventing childhood obesity and mental and physical health problems is important, and that you value the overall health and wellbeing of this and future generations.
Sincerely,
[Your name]