Families and teachers are overwhelmed and anxious with the current hybrid plan of Roanoke County Public Schools. The virtual Blackboard platform does not offer enough supportive instruction for students, and the subsequent reports of inconsistent workloads are concerning. We implore RCPS Superintendent and School Board to recognize the widespread impacts that this type of loss of education has upon all students, particularly considering the most vulnerable. Additionally, the effects of the current hybrid schedule are detrimental to our community, in regards mental health and on a socioeconomic level.

Currently, there have been zero deaths and two hospitalizations in the 0-19 age group in Roanoke and Alleghany health districts combined according to Virginia Health Department. The death rate from COVID is .003%. Meanwhile, 1 in 5 teens report experiencing suicidal ideation in the past six months,according to the CDC. We plead for consideration of the mental health and economic needs of RCPS teachers, students, and constituents. We urge for the RCPS School Board to revisit this plan, consider a different platform, or, based on the low numbers of cases in our county, permit our students to resume their in-person education and send them to school full-time with options to families and proven safety measures to ensure the health and well-being of students, staff, and families.