Dear Dr. Talley and the IPSD 204 School Board,

With DuPage County currently under Tier 3 restrictions due to the substantial community transmission of COVID-19, and while the testing positivity rate has been over 10% since October 28th, and whereas available ICU beds are now below 20% threshold, we the undersigned parents, students and community, appreciates the IPSD 204 school board working closely and consulting local public health officials before determining when it would be safe to offer any type of in-person return to school for students (beyond those needing special accommodations that are currently meeting in the building). Local public health officials continue to cite the escalating number of cases in our region, and do not anticipate a substantial decrease any time soon. 

This petition requests that IPSD 204 remains fully remote until the school board deems it safe and reasonable to offer the hybrid option, in conjunction and alignment with DuPage County Health updates and recommendations. 

We the undersigned parents, students, staff and overall community of District 204 students thank you for collaborating and following the guidance of public health experts and the established research in how to protect our communities, including our teachers, staff, and household members of students. 

Thank you for keeping our communities safe and finding the balance between protecting lives and educating young minds. You have been doing a wonderful job in providing the best education you can, and we look forward to when you deem hybrid safe to kick off. 

In extraordinary times, the teachers, staff, administrators, and board members of IPSD 204 have shown exactly why this is an award winning school district and have innovated, responded, and supported our students in ways we could never have even imagined prior to this year. You have our support and our deep gratitude for your hard, important work.

With respect and gratitude,