Margaret Landell Elementary School has always been a school of choice. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the history of our beloved school, Landell was opened in 1993 because our parents wanted an alternative schedule. For 28 years, our school has thrived off our year-round academic calendar. Year-round teachers have seen smaller gaps in learning when compared to traditional school schedules. The University of Texas Arlington found that year-round schools also, “prevent student and teacher burnout” and, “[increase] opportunities for extra help and studying.” We are immensely proud of our students’ successes.

Although there are no certainties with COVID, it seems as though the district is making haste decisions that will further disrupt our path back to normalcy and provoke even more change to our community. The safety of students is always the top priority and with these uncertain times, it is much too early to make such choices. The Cypress Elementary School Board is duty-bound to do the difficult work of determining how to keep our schools open safely during a pandemic. This diligent work must be considered with community and stakeholder input; without it, decisions will hurt the performance of educators and students. It’s up to all of us to hold them accountable. 

Please sign this petition! If you are looking for other ways to preserve Landell as a school of choice, you can illuminate your voice at the upcoming board meeting. Request that our school board consider both a traditional and a modified year-round calendar with the understanding that on June 14th, the district can proceed based on state mandates and CDE (California Department of Education) recommendations if needed. WE ALL DESERVE CHOICES!

-Over 70% of Landell teachers have expressed dissatisfaction with the decision and have tried to compromise and work with the district to no avail.

-Only 295 parents responded to the district's survey, just under 40% of the total campus enrollment. Further, many parents have expressed confusion or dissatisfaction with how the survey was worded and would not have answered the way they did had they understood that a decision was being made NOW.

Our petition is asking the district for 3 things:

- A pause on making the decision until June (why are we making a decision NOW when COVID guidelines are ever changing and there may not be a need for a modified schedule 6 months from now?)

- Multiple calendar options/proposals be made available (parents were asked to vote on a schedule preference without any actual proposed schedules. the district should present a minimum of 2 -traditional and year-round, preferably 3 - including a compromise option, like the one that was submitted to the district by teachers and ignored- for parents and teachers to review and provide feedback on)

- Additional parent outreach and survey with at least 60% participation (a survey with clear understanding that a decision will be made based on the feedback, with clear options and proposals)