Lexington/Richland 5 school district has been in a state of flux since March of last year.  It is our belief that the parents, teachers, and admin in favor of FIVE DAYS FACE TO FACE instruction for our students have been unable to make their voices heard. WE WANT TO CHANGE THAT! 

In order to draw attention to and increase awareness of our growing concerns, and to express our desires for transparency, we are coordinating a one day, group “refusal of virtual instruction” prior to data review for reentry taking place after the holiday break. (Date TBD)

In order to see results, the superintendent and the board need quantifiable data and hard numbers. Unfortunately, so far, the data on parents requesting face-to-face, district fail rates, district grade decline, the increase in financial hardship cases, district reports of student depression/anxiety/suicide/withdrawal/DSS inquiries/parental concerns and missing students have gone publicly unreported by the board.  It is our belief that parents/families/and policy-makers need to be made PUBLICLY aware of the current and potentially long-term risks and problems our district faces that extend even BEYOND those associated with Covid-19. 

This has been one of the most stressful times for families with school aged children.  While our children’s depression and anxiety are at an all time high, their grades are at an all time low!  Our homes have become war zones with battles between over stressed parents and apathetic students.  Many have said that this is a temporary resolution, but we believe different.  Our students have now lost almost a full year of instruction, and many families have lost their security and their faith in the public school system.

Please sign this petition if you believe that 5 days FACE TO FACE instruction is the best model!  If you are one of the parents willing and ready to take the step of refusing virtual instruction upon return from holiday break, stay tuned for further instructions. 

**PLEASE READ** For those who want to participate in this petition and/or the action to follow, but don’t want their child to be marked “unexcused absent” for this day, please sign the petition so we have accurate numbers to report.  For further clarification on the current attendance policy, please read the updated attendance policy on the SCDE website: 

https://ed.sc.gov/newsroom/school-district-memoranda-archive/frequently-asked-questions-related-to-attendance/frequently-asked-questions-related-to-attendance-attachment/

Thank you!