Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our children are now being taught virtually.  This is forcing teachers to work 13 -14 hour days, putting parents in a position where they must both attempt to work and navigate online school work with their children, and subjecting our children to additional pressure in an already stressful time.  Numerous studies have indicated that during times of stress, people must be given time to adjust to the stressful circumstances.  And yet, in this time of enormous social and economic doubt, teachers, students, and parents are all being subjected to the further stress of online schooling.

We urge the government of the State of Florida to suspend the remainder of the school year and allow teachers to spend April and May preparing for the 2020-2021 school year.  This would allow parents to focus on providing for their children, reduce the hours that our overworked teachers are now enduring, and give our families a chance to adjust to the current environment.