As a concerned group of St. Aloysius School parents committed to the health, happiness, social-emotional well-being, academic development, and spiritual growth of our children, we ask for your support in respectfully urging our school leaders to return to school this year with masks optional for all.

Since March of 2020, we have gathered substantial data about the virus. We have learned that COVID is not as harmful to children as it is to the elderly. We have seen that children are not a main driver of this contagion, and our faculty and staff have been vaccinated if they have chosen to do so.

Moreover, we have discovered that our mitigation efforts can result in consequences that are more harmful to our children than the virus itself. After more than a year of mask wearing, social distancing and remote learning, we have personally observed in our children less academic growth, a diminished desire to attend school, health problems due to restricted oxygen, and an increase in psychological and social-emotional problems. We fear that further mandated masking will compound these issues.

Going forward, we pray that our leaders make decisions and policies that are based on these present facts before us and to trust in our ability as parents to decide what is best for our children. Per state and federal statues and protections, we possess the right to make medical decisions for ourselves, and parents make these medical decisions for their children. We support parents’ rights to mask and vaccinate their children as much as we support their right not to. Following in the example of Christ, we do not wish to judge others or force our views upon others. We respect everyone’s right to choose what is best for their children.

From the onset of the COVID pandemic, St. Aloysius has been a leader and advocate for our children by returning to full-time, in-person learning when the local city schools failed to make a plan until the school year was halfway over. Now, let us lead again by putting our children’s needs first and allowing them to play and learn with their friends, to see each other’s smiles, and to breathe CLEAN air. It is time to show that St. Aloysius is strongest together when we respect everyone’s choices to make appropriate MEDICAL decisions for their children. Please sign this petition to ensure the best possible learning environment, which we believe is one that is mask-optional for all, and please pray for unity and compassion within our school family.