Letter to the Editor

Regarding Discriminatory Practice At San Diego High School

As a parent of a current San Diego High School (SDHS) student, I am concerned about a practice being implemented at SDHS this 2023-24 school year where the students’ grade point averages (GPA) are being placed on the football player’s helmets. The school’s administration does what they want, when they want, how they want. Last year, they placed the GPA on players’ helmets. I found out after the coach and athletic director had already implemented this practice near the end of the season, to which I voiced my objection to Eddie Head, SDHS Alumni Association President. He asked that I speak with the administration and voice my displeasure. The Athletic Director (AD) ignored my objections. Unfortunately, the administration never contacted any parents to talk about the issue. I asked Mr. Head to open a dialogue to stop this practice.

My concern is, where will it end?

What’s next? SAT scores? Separating students in the classroom by grades with those with bad grades sitting in the back? Students with good grades walking around campus with their GPAs on their clothing? The school district appears to be ok with this discriminatory practice [on] up to the Superintendent, who lets the principals do what they want without oversight or conversation with parents.

What about on the football field? The opposing team’s players will target those players with lower to no GPAs on their helmet. The sport should not be about their GPA in the classroom, but how they play on the football field. What if all the white players have good grades and the minority students do not? What does that tell the other team about the minority players?

No other school in the district has this issue and, after some research by the Alumni Association, other ADs and coaches, nobody sees a benefit and would not do it either. Why start now? This practice would have started years ago if it were a good idea. We do not need to now separate our students in sports.

Concern for students being retaliated against by school administration is high, and coaches alarm other parents. Unfortunately, after speaking with other parents, this type of discrimination comes in the form of tardy notices and other punitive actions against students as well.

Please look into this and stop this practice that will separate the students in the classroom and on the field.

Concerned Parent of current SDHS Student

How to reach

If you have such concerns, please contact the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office and ask for the “School Task Force”. Your issue does not have to be one of “sexual assault” on a child or person to be considered. One should also get the name of the person with whom you are speaking at the beginning of the conversation so that you can have a record of who you spoke with.

In the interim, this newspaper will ask the District Attorney’s Office to look into this matter and will publish our findings here. We thank you, Concerned Parent, for bringing this matter to our attention.