After making three announcements to give families the choice to begin school online or with in-person instruction, the GCPS Board decided today 7/20/20 to begin school with only online instruction. This decision not only goes against the people in this county that voted for this decision- it takes away the ability for students who need the in-person instruction and hinders their ability to excel. Nevermind the impact on families who are not able to provide childcare or technology for digital learning. With this petition, as parents and members of the community, we are fighting for our students to be able to go to school in-person, if they wish. 

    We understand that there are certain socioeconomic dynamics in Gwinnett county and rising cases of COVID-19, but the coronavirus has small impacts on students. Yes, some students and teachers have other health issues where they could be endangered by COVID-19, but with the choice of online or in-person, it gives students with health issues the choice to stay home. Also, if teachers have underlying health issues, they should be the ones instructing the online courses while healthier teachers should be teaching the in-school instruction.

    We are deeply upset with the leaders of our district, and hope that by hearing our voice, they will return to their previous decision of giving our students the choice. Our silent majority needs to speak up.