Who is impacted:
My name is Luisa, Ariana, Ruiz. The mother of a 3rd grade student who attends Hampton Oaks, Elementary in Stafford County, VA. I am writing this petition so that every parent in Stafford County joins me with this petition and stop the madness in our schools system.

To my surprise when I attended the back to school night at Hampton Oaks Elementary tonight August 8, 2023. It was notified to me for the first time that my daughter who is entering 3rd grade would be in the classroom that is completely isolated and detached from the main building located outside of the main school building called “cottages.” The term “cottages” if you ask me if being used to invite parents to accept this madness….as a way of the school teachers and Principal to sale it to parents as an attractive incentive and amenities to children! When in reality this affects the safety of our children. It was explained to me today August 3, 2023 by the school Principal that this has occurred throughout the County due to “the excess amount of students that are currently enrolled in the County.”

What is at stake? 
What is at stake for having implemented such “cottages” throughout Stafford County schools is the safety of our children particularly in a elementary school setting. Once I walk through 3rd grade classrooms, I noticed there were no bathrooms in the building. There are no fences protecting the children against outsiders that could ultimately harm them. The school could not guarantee me that there will be any paraprofessionals walking with the children to and from the main school building whenever they need to use the bathroom. Furthermore, I inquired about tornados, hurricanes and inclement weather safety plans and all I got was a blank stare as if I was some kind of crazy mom for asking all these questions. Needless to say the school had NO documentation to guarantee the safety of my child while in their care. No such thing exist because I requested to see copies of all these safety procedures and there is none! To make matters worst when I asked about when will the fence be put up (assuming this will be put in place be by the first day of school August 8) there was also no clear answer. Some teachers I ran into said “August 8” others had no idea. I find this extremely disturbing because even the windows that were in the classroom are low enough for anybody from the outside to enter the classrooms with no barriers or protection for the little ones. Upon further observation of the building there was no visual AC window units put in place and I can’t even imagine what will happen during winter time when it’s freezing cold as I did not see any control panels for heating either! There was a handicapped ramp attached to the “cottage” mobile home type building and that in itself made matters more aggravating because the ramp was made of metal…imagine what happens when ice hits metal kids can potentially slip and fall. Lastly, the information floating around with other parents was that 5th grade students will also be in the building mixed together with 3rd graders which I found even more strange considering the age difference and maturity level. The only procedure the school had in place was that in case of rain “umbrellas would be available for the kids to enter and leave the building.” I find this completely unacceptable considering that most 3rd graders are not mature enough to follow simple rules but this setting could lead children to wonder off property if no safety protocols are set in place. 

Why is now the time to act:

Why is now the time to act because clearly Stafford County has not strategically planned this through and basically put together unsafely and inadequate “cottages” to meet the demand of our overly populated schools. Recently our real estate taxes were raised and as residents of this County we were promised to have new schools built. 
I ask every parent in Stafford who has a child at Hampton Oaks Elementary to ask yourselves this question when you read this petition: Where does our high paying tax dollars go in this County and how is it being spent? Our teachers in Hampton Oaks Elementary leave because they are under paid and treated unfairly. The turnover at this school for teachers is insane and no one seems to care! Now we are throwing our children in technical dumpsters settings for their education and Hampton Oaks and Stafford County think its OK? We have waited several years for new school buildings to be built in Stafford County. These projections of overcrowded schools should’ve been planned years ago, and yet again Stafford County Board of Education has failed us and our children.

I am asking every parent that is affected by this change at Hampton Oaks Elementary to sign this petition if you believe our little ones are not being treated with respect and their safety and protection is being put potentially at risk by having them sit thru inadequate conditions in these new cottages.” We have had many statistics with mass shooters in schools, how can Stafford County guarantee the safety of our children by August 8 (which is days aways)? These so called “cottages” technically invite any outsiders in! No fences, no security guards, not enough paraprofessionals to watch over our children 24/7 while in school premises. 

Stafford County Schools needs to introduce a comprehensive immediate plan to create safer classrooms settings by August 8 or delay school until September. I am petitioning also for Stafford County Public Schools to develop a concise and transparent plan to build more elementary and middle schools for our children to overcome crowded schools issues. The county has plentiful of free land that can be used to build new schools if necessary. Further foster environmental safe school setting is a solid call to action of this petition!

Please join me in this petition to demand proper school settings for our children at Hampton Oaks Elementary and throughout Stafford County. 

People we who stop this madness and are decision makers in the matter are:

Dr. Thomas W. Taylor, Superintendent for Stafford County Schools

Mr. Jason Towery, Director of Facilities and Maintenance for Stafford County. 

Send your concerns to them or post in comments after signing this petition! 

Sincerely yours
Luisa Arianna Ruiz
ariruiz898@gmail.com