There are many parents like myself who have children enrolled in Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) and are nervous and stressed about their children attending in person school for the 2021-2022 school year. Covid has ripped through our communities, and the news regarding this delta variant is extremely concerning. The CDC has announced that the delta variant is 200 times more contagious than the original strain, and had been labeled as contagious as the chicken pox. Parents of the county have been told from PGCPS that the Maryland State Board of Education has mandated all counties in Maryland must return to in person classes in the fall. This may be acceptable for some counties in Maryland with smaller populations, but counties such as Prince George’s with a very large population; we do not fit the norm. We have overcrowded schools with little room for social distancing. This decision will be disastrous for our students and families if covid spreads.

Right now, PGCPS is allowing a limited virtual option for K-6th grades and 7th-12 grades. This is just not enough.  We need an expanded virtual option as the covid cases rise. No child that wants to do virtual school should be turned away. How can a child successfully learn if they are turned away from the limited virtual option and are terrified of going in person? That is not conducive to learning. In my case, I have a 5th grader and a child going to pre-k 3. My 5th grader may be able to do virtual, if selected,  but my pre-k 3 student  HAS to go in person because virtual is not even an option for pre-k students. Why is safety not a priority for our youngest scholars? Safety should be a priority for all of our scholars, but it doesn't feel like it is. I understand most students learn better in person; but personally, my biggest concern is first and foremost our health and safety. Students should not live in fear while being forced to attend school in person. Please reconsider an expanded virtual option for ALL students pre-k 3 through 12th grade in Prince George's County, until covid infection rates have gone down substantially and a vaccine is available for younger students.