As a staff employee for PG County Public Schools, I have endured the lasting effects that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our school. This historic event has significantly impacted my life by causing high levels of stress, anxiety, and an overall negative impact on mental and physical health.

As we head into the new school year, we need to acknowledge that this pandemic is not over yet, and that students will still be impacted by its presence. Because of this, the undersigned demand that all Md county schools provide remote learning options/ flexible grading policies and telework options to support its students as well as the Mental Health of all staff.

If this solution is properly implemented, students will feel supported as they try their best to maintain good academic standing.

As it is we are in the throws of a raging pandemic that does not appear to be slowing down, we, staff and students are being forced to remain in our buildings with all of our students in unsafe environments. Our ventilation systems are very poor, our buildings are not being cleaned and sanitized as they should be and teachers are finding themselves having to get their own supplies. We have major staff shortages causing our our to either be crammed on buses where the kids have to stand up because there are no seats, or crammed into classrooms with other students where there are not enough desks or space for the students. This makes it impossible for social distancing. This poses a super threat in our Pre K and Kindergarten classes, which have had to shut down several times already this year due to Covid outbreaks. Need I remind you that our students under the age of 5 cannot yet be vaccinated. This has affected our staff. They continue to get sick, from having contracted Covid, and have to be out for long periods of time.

We are proposing a transition from our present state to a virtual learning environment in addition to telework options for our staff. Staff have taken many surveys since onset of this pandemic. 

Do not force students to jeopardize their health and wellness with requirements to return to the classroom/ overwork themselves in order to succeed when the mental strain of a pandemic is still prevalent. Give us the ability to succeed this year.

By signing this petition, your voice will be heard in support of [remote learning/ flexible grading and telework options for all staff at all Md county schools. Let’s unite to support our community of scholars and educators!