We are a group of parents uniting together to be a voice for our children.  The purpose of this petition is to regain our rights, as parents and taxpayers of LA County, to have the choice to send our children to school utilizing the traditional in-person classroom setting.  

This petition is the first step of our cause which aims to provide students the option to be back in school.  Through the signatures on this petition, we will understand the level of community/parental support behind this cause; and will work collectively to come up with solutions to make this happen.  Our sense of urgency is critical, because with each passing day our students are falling more behind, and are being denied their right to education, “which must be made available to all on equal terms.”​

60% of the school day (asynchronous learning) is facilitated by parents or outside tutors who are responsible for managing the school schedule, execution of lesson assignments, and ensuring the comprehension of the materials. This does not provide our students with the same learning opportunities as those students who are receiving in-school education.  Moreover, this also inhibits the teachers’ ability to have the necessary impact on their students to set themselves and their students up for success.

Below are facts that outline the importance of WHY most children should be back in a traditional school setting, along with facts that show HOW we can safely and effectively do this.  

The Why: Prolonged absence from social and academic aspects of structured education will have detrimental effects on the future development of our children.

• American Academy of Pediatrics: “We recognize that children learn best when physically present in the classroom. But children get much more than academics at school. They also learn social and emotional skills at school, get healthy meals and exercise, mental health support and other services that cannot be easily replicated online.”
• The CDC:  “Schools play a critical role in supporting the whole child, not just their academic achievement,” including the “development of social and emotional skills,” and that a safe connected environment such as school reduces students’ depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide.

The How: Schools across CA/USA/World have safely reopened.  Locally, child care centers have been named "essential" and are successfully providing in-person learning environments, which mirror the in-classroom learning environment we are advocating for.  

• Child Care/Family Care Homes:  In California, 33,469 facilities have remained open throughout the pandemic with a 1% infection rate.
•  How schools are successfully reopening - Evidence Based Data:  Summary of School Re-Opening Models and Implementation Approaches During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The data that is linked throughout this petition is what is driving our cause to have the option of in-person learning for our children.  We will be advocating for a choice for all (both teachers and students).  

If you are aligned with our cause; whether you are a teacher, parent, student, grandparent or community member we ask for your signature and support, as we move forward to safely and efficiently find solutions to get our children back in school.  

We know that many teachers, parents, and students are eager to get back into the classroom and if we unite together our voice will be heard. 

Thank you for your support!