In light of the Belmont School Committee's (BSC) decision on August 6, 2020, to abandon a hybrid option for school reopening and to vote on only a fully-remote learning plan, we are urging the BSC to, 1) reconsider their decision not to vote on a hybrid plan, and, in the alternative, 2) establish a specific hybrid option in writing so that students can opt for a hybrid plan shortly after the remote beginning to school if conditions remain the same. Even if the BSC votes to begin the year remotely we need a detailed and feasible hybrid plan in place to allow our children a chance to move from remote learning to hybrid learning at the first possible opportunity. In support of this petition we state the following:

1)-parents who need or want a remote learning option will have it. We are all aware that a remote option is necessary. But if the covid numbers in our area remain the same, we owe it to our children to have the option of transitioning to a hybrid model.

2)-Belmont's denial of a hybrid option was vague and not based on definitive data or guidelines. The committee stated "remote is just the best thing to do." They did not indicate what data or information they would find acceptable to support a transition to a hybrid model. We cannot wait until zero transmission of this virus before we get our children back to school. If our numbers are good, as they are now, our children deserve at least some in-person education. We need a hybrid option.

3)-other towns in our area (Winchester, Reading, Needham) with the same covid numbers are developing, supporting and moving forward with a hybrid option. See, https://readingsuperintendent.files.wordpress.com/2020/08/fall-school-reopening-plans-comprehensive-2.pdf

4)-the dangers of extended school closures are serious, long-term and well documented, yet no one on the Belmont School committee is prioritizing those risks to our children. These risks would be addressed by a hybrid option. See, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/reopening-schools.html

5)-Belmont's first parent survey showed 91% of parents wanted a return to some form of in-person education. The BSC abandoned the hybrid option 4 days before the 2nd parent survey was due. Belmont parents want a hybrid option.

In conclusion, we petition and strongly urge the BSC to include and vote on a hybrid option like other communities in our area, so that Belmont students IF THEY CHOSE can transition to some form of in-person education as soon as possible.