The Corona-Norco Unified School District Board of Education has put forth that they intend to attempt to re-open schools in a traditional model.  Their discussions are targeted toward a full physical return to school campuses, but the plans they discussed don’t fully follow the CDC’s health and safety guidelines for social distancing.  As a student in the district, it concerns me that their plan includes a full return to school with potentially as many as 35 students or more in a classroom generally no larger than 20x20.  Student desks are expected to be about 3 feet apart wherever possible, which is still about 3 feet too close according to the CDC.

The COVID-19 numbers in Riverside County are much too high for students to begin school like this.  The county is one of the top five hotspots in the nation for rising cases.  Having a traditional return to school puts students, staff, and anyone else they come into contact with at risk for transmitting or becoming infected with COVID-19, especially if the district doesn’t plan to follow proper health and safety guidelines.

Special programs like DLI, AP, IB, GATE, etc. will not be offered virtually.  As a student involved with these programs I understand the need to return to school physically for these classes.  However, due to rising cases in Riverside County, I believe it is unsafe to return to a traditional school setting.  The district is planning to make us choose between virtual and traditional school without even considering a blended or hybrid option.  They’ve used the word equitable to describe these choices.  However, how is it equitable if not all programs are offered virtually?  As a student who’s been involved in one of these programs since kindergarten, if I have to choose between my education and my safety, how is that equitable?  I shouldn’t have to choose.

This petition is meant to make the Corona-Norco Unified School District develop a safer option that is equitable for all students to begin the school year that follows all CDC guidelines.  These options include full remote learning or a hybrid model.  Please sign and spread this petition in an effort to have the Corona-Norco Unified School District put the safety of all stakeholders including students like myself, teachers, parents and staff as the main priority.