In the Macomb public school system, organized school-sponsored sports typically begin at the middle school at the seventh- grade level; however, a few local parents are seeking a change to better prepare students for athletics and a healthier lifestyle with school-sanctioned teams beginning at the fifth-grade level.
Summer Brown, along with Shannon Dexter, who started a petition on change. org to gather signatures to present to the Macomb Community Unit School District No. 185 Board of Education, are asking the district to consider offering basketball and volleyball to students in fifth grade at Edison School and sixth grade at the Macomb Middle School. According to the petition language, at present, there is a noticeable disconnect in sports engagement at the younger age levels in the community due to the absence of organized sports programs for these grade levels.
“Our children find themselves without the vital opportunities to play together, develop their skills and prepare for future athletic success,” as stated in the petition narrative. “It’s disheartening to witness the lack of avenues for these young athletes to engage in basketball and volleyball when they have such potential. Surrounding schools have embraced the importance of sports from a younger age, starting as early as fifth grade. Our neighboring institutions have well-established programs that foster not only athletic development but also camaraderie, discipline and a sense of teamwork among students. It’s time for the same opportunities to be available for our children.”
“I have three kids (one in 10th grade, one in sixth grade and one in fourth grade); my oldest child plays football for the Bombers, and my daughters are members of the competitive traveling team from Project Dance Company, and they are also interested in cheer, track and volleyball. This directly affects my sixth grader as the volleyball season has already started and she is missing out,” Brown explained. “This all started with a simple question on social media on November 24, ‘Who is in charge of sixth grade volleyball? My sixth grader came home and asked me ‘Mom, how come people are saying they have a volleyball game? I wanted to play.’ This is what got the ball rolling for me.”
According to Brown, who works at Macomb Middle School, she had not heard any information about the game taking place at Edison, and then her fourth grader shared that her friend, who is in fifth grade, was playing. Brown learned a group of parents had formed a traveling team, with practices being held at Edison School. She then contacted school administrators to express concerns about school facilities being used for activities that aren’t available to every student.
“I know several fifth and sixth graders, and their parents, who were upset that they weren’t invited, which sparked an even bigger flame within. This isn’t just about my child; this is about losing both present and future athletes for the entire program. This is about children being left behind. Parent- ran programs are damaging the school district’s philosophy of fostering a healthy and inclusive environment for all,” Brown stressed. “When a team is formed by invitation only and without a transparent process like tryouts, it sends a difficult message to the children who were not invited. It can make them feel excluded and overlooked, regardless of their skill level. While the generosity of parent volunteers is essential, when a team’s leadership and selection is entirely parent-ran, it introduces an unavoidable conflict of interest.”
That’s why Brown and a few other parents are asking for sports to be added to the fifth and sixth grade school curriculum. According to MCUSD 185 Athletic Director Steve Horrell, privately-ran, including parent-organized, teams, can use space in Macomb’s public schools provided there is not a conflict with a school-sponsored activity. Horrell noted the district policy – which can be found on the Board of Education’s website – has been in place for years, stemming back to when the Macomb Basketball Association (MBA) could no longer use the Macomb Armory for games and practices for the fourth and fifth grade competitive traveling team.
“Groups interested in using our facilities must complete a building use form and also provide proof of insurance. Typically for the use of gym or fields, the request comes through the athletics program,” Horrell explained. “There is not a fee if the program or team is considered a feeder program; however, if the non-school athletic group is not considered a feeder program, for example, a gymnastics team wants to use the wrestling room, because do not have a gymnastics team, this would not be considered a feeder program and a rental fee would be charged.”
Section 8 (8:20) outlines the community’s use of school facilities, which are available during non-school hours when the activity doesn’t interfere with any school function or affect the safety of students or employees, or affect the property or liability of the School District. Section 8 (8:20AP), states that “non-school athletic groups considered athletic feeder programs for Macomb Middle and High school may use Macomb School District indoor gymnasium facilities at no cost so long as the groups consist of 100% Macomb School District students. If a custodian is necessary, the feeder groups must pay the custodial fee. Non-school athletic groups that consist of Macomb School District students and students from other school districts must pay rental and custodial fees unless those groups are coached by a Macomb School District employee.”
Horrell acknowledged that privately-run traveling ball leagues have hurt local leagues. Brown noted when doing research, she discovered approximately 11 districts within the region, in a 50- to 80-mile radius, that offer school-sanctioned athletic teams at the fifth and/or sixth grade levels. This gives those schools not only a competitive advantage, but provides organized activities for the students to learn – and grow – together.
“We will continue to push Mac185 to do what is right for our children. That includes gathering signatures on the petition and presenting it to the Macomb Community Unit School District No. 185 Board of Education,” she added. “The current structure creates inequity and excludes a significant portion of our student body. By bringing these students under the school umbrella, we ensure equal opportunity, professional oversight and higher academic engagement.”
According to Mark Twomey, MCUSD 185 superintendent, there is a formal process, which first includes the Board of Education receiving a formal written request for consideration. Once the formal request is submitted, the Board will discuss the matter.
“Depending on the discussion from the Board, the next step for the group is to sign up to make the formal request in person at a Board meeting,” Twomey explained. “For additional sports to be added at any level, school and district budgets must first be considered. If the request is financially feasible, we must determine if there is enough gymnasium space, coaches, gate personnel, supervision and other factors, including securing referees. The Board also considers other matters, such as are there currently other opportunities in the community beyond the school-sponsored sport and are there enough IESA schools in the area to schedule a season. I am confident there are additional things to be considered that normally arise during Board, administration and the athletic department discussions.”
Dexter, who started the change.org petition, said she got involved to raise awareness about the lack of organized youth sports at the fifth and sixth grade levels in Macomb as St. Paul and other surrounding schools begin organized school-sponsored sports at these grade levels. By the time these students reach middle school and high school, they are well-versed in the game and have been playing together for several years, she added.
“My oldest son is in third grade, so I’d like to see something get started so when he gets to fifth grade he will have an opportunity to continue to play the sports he loves,” Dexter shared. “He is currently on a third- and fourth-grade parent-led team, but starting next year much of his team will play St. Paul school ball so we will have to find something else for him to do so he can continue to play.”
The petition can be found at tinyurl.com/v3hjx3yv.
