We, the parents of Caroline county in-person students, are requesting the School Board allow for masks to be optional for ALL students & staff during the 2021-2022 School Year. We are requesting for the board to immediate revoke their decision & respect parents’ ability to make the informed decisions on masks or no masks during school. This is America �� the country of rights & freedoms, the country of choices and options!

Given, as if August 4 2021, masks are NOT required by CDC but RECOMMENDED, we ask you to consider the current data from Virginia Department of Health on zero deaths of school age children in Caroline. Why must the students and faculty suffer in a mask while the middle & high school level has been granted the option?!

As of July 26, 2021, per VA Dept of Health, school divisions have the ability to make local mask policies based on community level conditions and public health recommendations. Vaccines are available to all ages 12 and up, the likelihood of severe effects among the student populations exist but are extremely low.

The ending of mask requirements against the youngest entity of students and faculty will allow for those who would like to continue, to do so, while allowing the option for all parties. Also while mitigated the additional effects upon our children for other bacterial and viral infections caused by the masks & mitigating the on going downward spiral of mental health issues we are facing!

We ask signers of this petition, if you are a parent of a school age child, that you comment below