Dear Governor Ducey, Dr. Casteel, CUSD board members, and esteemed principals,

     We are writing to inform you that despite having selected “in-person” instruction on the intent to return form, the below signed families do not feel comfortable with a return to in-person instruction on August 17th.   We do not wish to rush back into the classroom on 8/17 (or at any arbitrary date in the future) if that return puts the health and safety of our children, teachers, school staff, and our community at risk.  Our decision to select “in-person” instruction on the intent to return form was based on several factors.  For various reasons, unique to each family, COA does not meet the needs of our children.  For many, COA does not provide the curriculum they need to stay on track educationally and does not meet the educational standards that we expect to receive from CUSD.  Furthermore, the COA format does not meet the social-emotional needs of our students or allow for peer interaction.  Nor does COA provide a connection to our beloved teachers or a bridge to an eventual return to campus when conditions warrant.  These are not incidental considerations and have weighed heavily on parents over the last several weeks. 

     We understand that the district has to start somewhere in regard to school staffing.  We understand that the return date is somewhat out of the district’s hands.  However, we want to make sure that our voices are heard.  We are selecting the in-person option to communicate to the district that we want the curriculum and teachers we chose when we enrolled our children in their respective schools.  We do not, however, want to force teachers and staff into the school buildings before conditions are deemed safe by our public health experts.  If school resumes before that time, we will be forced to make other arrangements.  Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Sincerely,

CUSD families