We, the students of Blue Valley District middle and high schools, say that we should have the right to enroll and participate in Area Studies: Asia, Middle East, and Africa courses in the years including and following 2014. We believe we have the right to learn about other cultures, histories, and regions extensively in courses that emphasize the regions of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The benefit of having the option to take Area Studies classes in school is that more students take the time to learn about other cultures and are taught by professionals who can explain and teach the concepts in more simple ways than learning on your own.

We do understand offering Area Studies classes might not be ideal in all circumstances and that students are able to learn outside of school about these regions. Despite those reasons, this type of information is very important because it teaches diversity about countries and regions outside of the west. Also, with the information gained from these courses, students are able to have a different outlook on the world and understand current events in a way that many adults in the U.S. do not today.

We hope that the Council will use this information and the following signatures as proof that many students in Blue Valley District schools believe that they have the right to enroll and participate in Area Studies: Asia, Middle East, and Africa courses in the years including and following 2014 and will vote against the restriction of Area Studies courses.