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Parents urge more outdoor time for students; one family demands opt‑out after cited Supreme Court ruling
Summary
Two public commenters addressed the board: a parent urged adding daily outdoor time for students to support learning and mental health; another parent cited a recent Supreme Court ruling and formally requested district compliance and opt‑outs for LGBTQ‑related materials and policies.
Two members of the public spoke during the July 14 Lowell Area Schools meeting: one urged the district to increase students’ outdoor time to support learning and well‑being, and another submitted a written opt‑out demand citing a Supreme Court decision.
Nut graf: Both speakers asked the board to take steps they said would affect students’ daily school experience: one proposing an operational shift to add short outdoor periods, the other asking for immediate opt‑outs and policy action related to LGBTQ‑related materials following a cited court ruling.
Taylor Vanda, who identified herself as a parent and assistant coach and said she is pursuing a degree in mental‑health counseling, recommended the district increase outdoor time for elementary students by 15 minutes per day to meet CDC recommendations and to give middle and high school students at least 45 minutes that could include lunch. Vanda urged using outdoor space and suggested a parent‑staff committee to collect data on behavior and academic outcomes if the district trials the change. “That moderate to vigorous activity is linked to improved brain function, emotional regulation, reduced anxiety, better attention, and academic performance,” Vanda told the board.
Stephanie Boone, who gave a home address on the record and identified herself as a parent, referenced a recent Supreme Court decision she called “Mamou versus Taylor” and said she and her husband were “hereby immediately opting out our children who attend LAS from all LGBTQ plus related texts, surveys, and curriculum within LAS.” She asked the district to confirm receipt in writing within 24 hours and to explain how it will implement the ruling and alert parents to policy changes. The superintendent acknowledged receipt of a letter and said the district will review the ruling and respond as information and guidance become available.
Ending: Board members thanked both speakers and said the district would consider the outdoor‑time suggestion and review the letter related to the court ruling. The superintendent noted outdoor classroom space at Cherry Creek and a hammock garden funded by the Lowell Education Foundation as resources to support outdoor learning.
