*Names of those signed will not be disclosed to the Board of Education or any JCPS school leader.*  The total number of signatures will be presented at the next Board of Education meeting.

UPDATE as of May 8:

Survey to provide feedback to JCPS BOE and Superintendent:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScyt0b_t56LeKB5Vj6NWeFCk6In2LuXqOr7yD2PWHRjkdEFeg/viewform

Email questions: JCPSParents4Transparency@gmail.com

UPDATE as of April 19:

PARENT PROTEST , THURSDAY, APRIL 22 at 9AM

JCBOE DISTRICT BUILDING

346 CLAREMONT AVE

email: jennsforza@gmail.com

UPDATE as of April 18:

Superintendent Walker sent a robo-call this evening stating "Unfortunately we cannot open.  The staff we need for adequate supervision and instruction is not available."  Teachers were instructed to report to school on April 15 and 16 to set up their classrooms, however there were 400-500 absences.  And the number of medical accommodations are excessive.

1. Email the leadership to inform them of your views:

fwalker@jcboe.org, lorenzorichardson@jcboe.org, ginaverdibello@jcboe.org, mussabali@jcboe.org, alexanderhamilton@jcboe.org, geraldlyons@jcboe.org, marilynroman@jcboe.org,lekendrickshaw@jcboe.org, joanterrellpaige@jcboe.org, noemivelazquez@jcboe.org, eruane@jcboe.org, nfernandez2@jcboe.org

2. Register to speak at the upcoming BOE meetings: Monday, April 19, and Thursday, April 22:  https://www.jcboe.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1536962&type=d&pREC_ID=1667573

3.  Join Facebook: "Open Jersey City Schools Now!"

UPDATE as of March 24:

Must register by Thursday, March 25, 4pm to speak at the JC school board meeting on Thursday, March 25.

https://www.jcboe.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1536962&type=d&pREC_ID=1667573

It is a Facebook Live meeting broadcast here: https://www.facebook.com/TheSchoolDistrictOfJerseyCity/

Public comment speakers are on the phone (no video).  Just remember to answer your phone from a Jersey City phone number usually between 7pm-10pm.  You'll have 1 minute to speak.

Speak your mind or feel free to use this:

We are all in this together.  The teachers are vaccinated.  The school buildings are ready.  The HVAC systems inspections were certified as the Superintendent presented in his Building Readiness Report at the January 28 Board of Education meeting.  The CDC has updated its guideline lines that children only need 3 feet of distancing in the classroom, which is an improvement from 6 feet.  Please make sure our students are back in school this April.  Children belong in school for their mental health and well-being.
Remember: Email the Board and Superintendent Walker often to speak out for families and students:

fwalker@jcboe.org, lorenzorichardson@jcboe.org, ginaverdibello@jcboe.org, mussabali@jcboe.org, alexanderhamilton@jcboe.org, geraldlyons@jcboe.org, marilynroman@jcboe.org,lekendrickshaw@jcboe.org, joanterrellpaige@jcboe.org, noemivelazquez@jcboe.org, eruane@jcboe.org

Also - Join the dialogue on Facebook: Open Jersey City Schools Now!

UPDATE as of February 17:

School Board Trustees Gina Verdabello and LeKendrick Shaw hosted a Community Forum on February 16.  Union Leader Ron Greco and Superintendent representative Dr. Galano also in attendance.  

No leader prioritized the impact on children and families as a reason to reopen. It's clear there is no concrete plan and a lot of finger pointing the blame.

Be vocal!  Speak up for children! 

1- Register for public comment at the next BOE meeting on February 25

https://www.jcboe.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1536962&type=d&pREC_ID=1667573

2- Email school leaders - addresses below.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/11/upshot/schools-reopening-coronavirus-experts.html 

UPDATE as of January 30:

At the January 28 Board of Education meeting, members disappointingly spent little time discussing school reopening.  

Superintendent Walker presented this "building readiness" document. In summary, it's checklists at each school on cleaning, air duct work, indoor air quality, and each principal sign off on the PPE equipment received.  See this video of the meeting where Walker stated, "the definition of ready changes from one moment to the next, but for the most part, we are." (1 hr, 4 mins)

A list was provided of the CARES Act spending.

Board Members replied to the public comments and their views on the school-opening (the last 22 mins of the video) In summary:

-Superintendent Walker says reopening is a staffing issue: prior to each school opening date, he surveys the learning staff and the result is he will not have enough who can come in person to be able to open the schools.

-Board President Ali cited a NYTimes article inaccurately citing the School Dashboard shows teachers' case rate increased at a faster rate than the community cases, when the article actually indicates this could possibly be due to increased testing, and there was an increase in teachers' rates both for remote teachers and in-person teachers, so no in-person was not a sole factor.  The article is called, "CDC Officials Say Evidence Schools Can Reopen if Precautions are Taken" so it actually demonstrates schools can reopen. 

-Board Member Lyons is concerned about what the board should do regarding vaccinations for the 4,500 employees.  He agrees it mentally impacts kids, but that there is a new strain that effects teachers more.

-Board Members Verdibello and Hamilton say there is "no right or wrong answer to open or not open."  Hamilton said they always err on side of caution (implying in this case, not to open schools).

Action:
Please email!  Let them know your views, facts from articles, anything that will show school leadership to make school-opening a priority topic and the reality families and students are facing:

fwalker@jcboe.org, lorenzorichardson@jcboe.org, ginaverdibello@jcboe.org, mussabali@jcboe.org, alexanderhamilton@jcboe.org, geraldlyons@jcboe.org, marilynroman@jcboe.org,lekendrickshaw@jcboe.org, joanterrellpaige@jcboe.org, noemivelazquez@jcboe.org, boarddocs@jcboe.org 

Mayor Fulop:

fulops@jcnj.org

ORIGINAL PETITION:

It is time to re-open Jersey City Public Schools to give families a choice for safe in-person learning!

Students and parents are suffering from increased stress, anxiety, and social isolation given the prolonged period of remote learning.  Studies show that the achievement disparities have worsened across income levels and between White students and Black and Hispanic students as a result of online learning since COVID-19.

The science overwhelming indicates that young children are not driving the spread of COVID-19.  Neighboring schools, including large districts like New York City, have implemented strict measures and standards to safely operate in-person instruction.  Even within Hudson County, Hoboken Public Schools have provided students the option of full-time in-person since September 2020.

While we understand the fears of the unknown, we do not want our school leaders to make decisions based on fear. 

Please consider the facts on how schools can safely re-open and the impact remote learning has had on our children and families.  Please give families a choice to attend in-person learning.

Act now!

1. Sign this petition

2. Register to speak and share your story at the virtual school board meeting on January 28, 2021

https://www.jcboe.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1536962&type=d&pREC_ID=1667569

3. Email Mayor Fulop and the Jersey City Public Schools leadership to share your story:

fulops@jcnj.org, fwalker@jcboe.org, lorenzorichardson@jcboe.org, ginaverdibello@jcboe.org, mussabali@jcboe.org, alexanderhamilton@jcboe.org, geraldlyons@jcboe.org, marilynroman@jcboe.org,lekendrickshaw@jcboe.org, joanterrellpaige@jcboe.org, noemivelazquez@jcboe.org, boarddocs@jcboe.org 

This is written by a group of parents with students at Cordero PS 37 on behalf of other parents, guardians and community members of Jersey City.

No donations.