In light of the Omicron variant outbreak and its ongoing effects, we urge Maybeck High School admin to transition to a model of virtual instruction or to modify the virtual learning policy.

1. This worked through 2020 and early 2021. Childcare is largely a non-issue because Maybeck is an independent high school not affiliated with primary institutions. Demonstrably, students have home access to the Internet.
2. The current model is fundamentally inequitable, as students who must isolate are relegated to a second-class experience haphazardly adapted from lesson plans designed for in-person instruction. This places additional strain on teachers, who must either arrange for two modes of instruction or risk students falling behind.
3. This model is also unsafe with regards to health. It pressures students to return to class in person as quickly as possible – once more, because virtual learning is left to afterthought. Circumstances not considered by the current policy that may warrant isolation include the following:
   1. Another member of the student's household is infected with COVID.
   2. The student and/or a housemate is immunocompromised and at greater risk of severe or long-lasting COVID symptoms.
   3. The student has lingering symptoms of COVID or another illness.
   4. A COVID test has produced a false negative result.

Maybeck is a school of about 120, so the fact that multiple students have tested positive is not to be ignored. The school must be proactive, not reactive, to prevent further spread of the virus through the community.