This petition represents our request for Gesu Catholic School to implement a "mask optional" policy for the 2021-2022 school year.  We support and respect allowing each and every family the opportunity to make individual decisions for their own child(ren) in regards to wearing a mask at school. 

With the availability of Covid-19 vaccines to all teachers and staff and the proven low transmission rate from children, we feel a "mask optional" policy is safe. Additionally, studies have shown that long-term mask wearing can have negative physical, educational, and psychological consequences on children. Given this, it is important to allow each family to make a decision that aligns with their individual circumstances.  We also want to be free to choose what’s right for our kids especially when it comes to their health. We implore you to consider the voice of the parent population for consideration before final decisions are made.

We are NOT asking for masks to be abolished, we are asking the administration to allow the parents to make the decision for their own children by allowing masks to be optional for students. Last year proved to the country that Catholic schools were leaders not only in doing what’s best for kids but keeping them safe at the same time. We ask that you continue this leadership role by recognizing and honoring personal health decisions for each family. The health decisions we make for our children is a right that parents cherish in the same way that educational decisions is a right cherished by the Gesu parish and administration.

Thank you.