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Parents and students press board to preserve Thompson Middle School advanced PE program
Summary
Multiple students and parents urged the board to confirm or reinstate Thompson Middle School’s advanced PE program, reporting petitions with hundreds of signatures and asking the district to clarify whether PR mile runs, weightlifting and other program elements will continue.
Parents, students and teachers asked the Murrieta Valley Unified School District board to preserve Thompson Middle School’s advanced PE program, saying the curriculum builds confidence, fitness and pathways to high‑school athletics.
Eighth‑grader Jewel Blacketter said the program has taught life skills including discipline and perseverance and reported a petition with roughly 630 signatures in support of the coaches. Parents described mixed messages from the school office and principal emails that said the program had not been cut, while students reported reduced running, fewer weightlifting opportunities and changed enforcement of standards.
A freshman and Thompson alumnus, Indy Kamen, described the PE program as the reason she gravitated to track and credited coaches with building fitness and confidence. Parent Christina Taylor said that even if district emails indicate 'nothing has changed,' students report otherwise and urged the board to verify school practices and confirm program continuity.
Lisa Murray, president of the Murrieta Educators Association, praised the program and said site visits show smaller class sizes at specialized sites such as Murrieta Canyon Academy. Superintendent Dr. Andrews told the board the district did not intend to eliminate PR miles or weightlifting and said advanced PE sections are being added to next year’s master schedule; he acknowledged confusion and said staff will clarify implementation and staffing options.
The board asked staff to follow up and report back with a factual account of program status and staffing plans before the start of next year.
