Covid-19 is rapidly spreading nationwide and New York State is taking one of the largest hits. Suffolk County is reported to be a Covid hot-spot following the uproar in positive cases this year, despite vaccination rates. As of December 31, 2021, New York State has confirmed 45,384 people to be positive with Covid-19. From the first day of instruction at Sachem East High School, the number of cases jumped by 42,360, with 30,171 of those cases being from this holiday season. 

Sachem Central School District has approximately 13,500 students. As per the New York State School Covid Report Card, there are a total of 2,413 students, staff and administration in Sachem East High School daily. There have been 1,125 total positive cases reported in Sachem East this school year, 375 cases are from the past fourteen days (12.19.21 - 1.1.22) and 177 are from the last seven days. That leaves 7.3% of the East population with Covid-19 in just this past week alone. 

We have seen Covid-19 spiral out of control time and time again. As the numbers don’t lie, we know safe from unsafe. Considering it is seen that the education of our students is extremely important, the health of our students, administration and families should be seen as the first priority. All who have signed this petition, including all parents, students, staff and administration, would feel safest in commencing remote learning, given the opportunity. We ask that you keep those who have been greatly affected by Covid-19 in your mind as you take these words of request into consideration. Thank you.