As we all know, the omicron variant of COVID-19 is spreading quickly among communities all over the world. San Francisco is well known for being the most cautious, therefore has had the best minimal transmission among its people since the pandemic started. Although recently, this has been eliminated as according to the CDC, numbers in cases have risen dramatically; enough to back up testing centers all over the country and make appointments seem impossible. Some say by the time you can get tested, you may not even be contagious anymore! Despite the report of San Francisco having a high student vaccinated rate along with the mask mandate, cases have been arising since the variant has made an appearance and many are no longer feeling safe sitting in a room with their peers all day.

In respect to those who wish to attend in-person, this petition is to try to help accommodate those who don’t feel safe by requesting ICA Cristo Rey to introduce hybrid learning to the community for the next school semester in accommodation to the students to have flexibility for their learning and not miss out on lessons. Hybrid learning can be very beneficial; lessons be posted online, all work is to be submitted online, and everything can be tracked via digitally so there’s less chances of spreading illness. This can benefit those who get sick and are in quarantine, so they have access to resources to complete assignments when they can and not need to make appointment after appointment with teachers to catch up with work once allowed back; along with give time to those who may be experiencing exposure scares and need time to get tested or receive any sort of medical assistance. Even if students are not sick, some may live with sick or immunocompromised family members that they love and care for, not wanting to bring the illness home and endanger their lives.

Along with COVID-19, hybrid classes can also assist with students and bad mental health days; with the stress of school and the variant, many may suffer to get up and do a regular routine, access to resources from home can help with taking an easier day to recharge while also keeping up with school work so it won’t be a heavy load to take on once the decision to return to school is made.

No, students would not be forced to stay home with this proposal. With hybrid learning, students may be able to still attend school in person if they desire as everyone has different comfort levels for attendance during this pandemic; some feel safe with their masks and vaccines, others may not feel as if it’s enough with the ongoing new challenges we’re facing against the virus, and there’s some that refuse to get the vaccine and are fed up with masks. It would follow the model of the local college and university’s approach to classes: there will be a live class to sit through, but it will be recorded and posted for students to access after class along with all class work and resources posted for students to access at any time.

In summary: this petition proposes for ICA to resume online class but offer the flexibility for students to attend in person if they desire. All resources for homework and class work are to be posted online to access at any time during the school semester, and there’s to be no judgment or consequence if chosen to stay home due to concerns about the omicron variant of COVID-19 other than recognizing that a group of students feel safer learning from home and want to play their part to slow the spread. Students and families can have the option to make their decision for their learning while giving everyone wiggle room to decide what they’re most comfortable with without conflicting with others with different views.