The American Academy of Pediatrics' has issued guidance that "all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school."

The AAP further states that "schools are fundamental to child and adolescent development and well-being," and cites "mounting evidence that transmission of the coronavirus by young children is uncommon, partly because they are less likely to contract it in the first place."

Yet our Arizona School Districts, Superintendents and City School Boards, despite the advice of our top doctors, have decided to initiate distance learning this Fall. Many European and Asian countries have returned to school and are finding practical ways to protect students, families, teachers and administrators while creating a vital in-person learning environment for children.

As tax payers in Arizona, we require that in-person classrooms be provided to all families who want their children to be in school and that the Governor stop pushing back the start of school. 

Our leaders must also consider critical health and wellbeing factors beyond the virus, including the needs of working parents. Over 60% of households in Arizona have two parents working outside the home, many of which are forced to send children to daycare (which haven't been closed) instead of schools where they can receive the education that they deserve and have paid for. This is an added burden to parents and counterproductive to a healthy community.

After such a long period of "summer brain drain" for our children, to delay the school year is irresponsible, and "starting" school with online learning is a sham. We the parents, the students and the teachers all lived and experienced the poor outcomes with online learning that was forced upon us for the endless final months of the last school year. We cannot and will not allow this deplorable decision making and poor excuse for "starting school" to further impact our children.

Please sign this petition and write to your district's school board, superintendent, Governor Ducey and your congressmen/congresswomen and demand that schools be opened. If there is no change in direction and agreement to open up schools with in-person learning by August 17th (if not sooner), we will organize a protest at the capitol before the start of "school" on August 4th so keep your eyes open for that opportunity. 

I'll leave you with the article which references the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations for our kids. 

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/06/29/884638999/u-s-pediatricians-call-for-in-person-school-this-fall?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR2Ptyh7qL48mBBFwFLAY5iyqxU7qktYs2QRMmx3CUhGpr496kmXjW2TafA