Alabama is in the red zone for cases, with the 7th highest rate in the country as of December 13th. (https://whnt.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2020/12/alabama_12_13_2020.pdf)

Madison County's positivity rate for rapid Covid tests were 17.55% as of January 13th, according to the CDC. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view

In addition to the report on WHNT, and CDC Covid positivity rates, the BamaTracker keeps a series of metrics for the public to review. Looking at the Madison County 7 day Average percent positive per day, the percent testing positive is much higher- at about 20.64% as of 12/29/20.

The CDC guidelines recommend following a 'Hybrid Learning Model" when a city or county has greater than 10% of their Percentage of RT-PCR tests that are positive during the last 14 days. Madison County meets this guideline and Madison City Schools fall within this hot zone.

Below are the CDC guidelines for the Hybrid Learning Model which has the smallest amount of risk. Since no-risk would be ALL virtual classes).  By signing this petition we are asking Madison City Schools to follow the CDC Guidelines outlined below and follow the Hybrid Learning Model to minimize students' risk of exposure to the virus.

Hybrid Learning Model:

1) Some students participate in virtual learning and other students participate in in-person learning

2) Small, in-person classes, activities, and events

3) Cohorting; leveraging all available safe community spaces, including outdoor spaces; alternating schedules, and staggered schedules are applied rigorously

4) No mixing of groups of students (i.e., cohorts) and teachers throughout/across school days

5) Students and teachers do not share objects

6) Students, teachers, and staff always follow all steps to protect themselves and others, including proper use of face masks, social distancing, hand hygiene, and respiratory etiquette

7) Regularly scheduled cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces implemented consistently

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/indicators.html

Right now our county shows the highest risk of transmission in schools according to CDC criteria. Please help us let the administration know we want our schools to follow the CDC's guidelines for a hybrid schedule.