In light of the new Omicron variant, studies have shown that this new variant of COVID-19 has a higher breakthrough case rate than other strains of the virus. Now that the CDC has relaxed quarantine measures for schools and universities, our students within the Beaverton School District and other school districts within the Portland area are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, possibly more than ever. 

This petition proposes that the Portland school districts include the following choices to students: 

1) Students must be allowed to opt for virtual learning to protect their own health and their family's health (especially those who are high-risk due to pre-existing health conditions). 

2) Students can opt for in-person learning with increased COVID-19 precautionary measures, such as more frequent testing and increased distance between learners within the classroom. 

Not only will the students at home be safe, but due to less students being in-person, there will be more space in the classroom for in-person students to maintain distance. Many schools in the Portland area opted for this hybrid schedule between March and June of 2021. 

Choosing to have everyone stay in schools will only prolong the pandemic indefinitely, as we have seen over the past several months. With cases soaring and several institutions going virtual across the nation, it is time to step up and collectively protect our health until the pandemic becomes manageable.