Children are experiencing developmental delays physically, psychologically and emotionally due to mask wearing for an extended period of time.  Parents should have the final say in a medical intervention for their child, not a school. The school is taking a recommendation, not requirement to operate, from public health officials and making mask wearing for children a mandate. This is organizational overreach and encroachment on the autonomy of parents to make decisions for their children. Making this optional satisfies both sides of the topic. In theory, the mask protects the person wearing it and individuals not wearing the mask take accountability for their own health. Parents who value masking and believe this is in the best interest of their children can continue to send their child to school with a mask. Parents who value NOT masking and believe this is in the best interest of their children can begin sending their child to school without a mask. 

Rather than making this a topic that divides us as human beings, we can try to understand that we all have different values and beliefs. We can accept each other for our differences by trying to understand each other and displaying empathy. Please sign this petition so that we can all parent our children the way that WE want to.