I am the parent of two children that are too young to be vaccinated.  The mask requirement in our Bentonville School District was overturned, as we all know.  The numbers are on the right track, but the transmission in our community is still High according to the CDC.  The CDC also recommends universal masking indoors.  As does the American Academy of Pediatrics.  I am not yet comfortable sending my children to an indoor school where universal masking is not in place. Masks work best when everyone wears one.  The vaccine should be available very soon, but it just isn’t yet.  

I asked the principal of Bentonville district virtual school to help me, and my children were added to a wait list.  Two days later I was contacted by my child’s principal that the absences would be “unexcused”.  After 10 days, my child loses their spot in the school.  I followed up and asked what to do in the time being.  I was given no answer.  I reached out to the superintendent.  I was given no answer, other than that the virtual school is full and that my children get 5 parent permission days.  Their hands are tied in this matter for legal reasons.

I feel that I am being punished for trying to protect my family from a deadly virus.  I don’t know what else to do, and I am forced to look into other options for my children’s education(suddenly and quickly).  I feel very let down that this is happening.  

Not every parent can homeschool.  Not every parent understands the danger.  The children need a voice.

More Info from the AAP:

https://www.aap.org/en/pages/2019-novel-coronavirus-covid-19-infections/clinical-guidance/covid-19-planning-considerations-return-to-in-person-education-in-schools/