As Franklin parents we are extremely disappointed with the decision to revert to virtual learning and, even worse, to cancel team athletics and other activities. Does this decision really serve my child’s best interests?

Virtual learning is a poor substitute for in person education. Children do not learn more (or better) by staring at a computer screen all day. It penalizes and isolates our children and risks causing serious long-term damage. And yet we are willing to do this in response to a virus that, by all accounts, poses VIRUALLY NO RISK TO CHILDREN. How does this make any sense? It is a fact — children learn better ‘in person”.

When you remove in-person education — and now sports and other extra-curricular activities — from our children's lives, who is accounting for their mental health? Our kids are suffering by these decision, and yet (once again) we are putting mental health issues to the wayside.

Other school districts that are virtual learning have successfully still allowed their student athletes to continue to compete. Ensuring that these kids stay active and engaged with one another, while practicing to the best of their abilities safety measures and continuing positive mental health.

Our student athletes, will now lose important opportunities to accumulate game film that may help with college recruiting and allow them to continue playing the sport they love after high school. This decision is causing all of them real harm. We Franklin parents find this UNACCEPTABLE, especially in light of the recent study that shows that high school football athletes in Wisconsin have not contributed in any way to the spread of COVID.

We elect our school board directors to be voices for our students and families. Like so many parents, we were happy when Franklin announced their “in person” agenda for the school year. You have another opportunity to do what’s right, and to stand up for our children's education and mental health by continuing in-person instruction and not suspending team athletics.

We are signing this petition asking you to overturn the schools decision for virtual learning and to reinstate student athletics and events during this virtual time. Us parents should have a say in this decision.
BE A VOICE, NOT AN ECHO!