Keep Our Community Safe

With Rocklin Unified School District’s decision to reopen schools, teachers, students, and support staff are put in danger. Numerous students and staff members have spoken out against the reopening of schools in regards to the now heightened possibility of contracting COVID-19 and spreading it to their family members. Multiple schools, nearby and nationwide, have decided not to open their doors in order to prioritize the safety of their staff and students. 

As much as we long for normalcy, the School Board must acknowledge that it is simply not safe yet, especially with the current fires affecting Rocklin’s air quality. Many teachers have expressed their concern for the new hybrid model and the many uncertainties it poses. By ignoring these concerns, the Board is actively placing both staff and students in a vulnerable position in which they must choose between education/employment and the safety of themselves and/or their families. 

Though we are aware a couple decision-based board meetings have been publicly held since March 13th, we are asking that the School District reassess this situation, and listen to the community in order to keep it safe. We propose to make the new hybrid schedule optional, allowing students to choose whether or not they want to return, giving those who do want to return the free will and providing the same curriculum to those who decide to play it safe. Not only will this decrease the potential spread of COVID-19, but it helps ease any other anxieties COVID-19 has caused. 

Why?: 

• There is clear uncertainty from the School Board regarding the new hybrid model. 
  We would be taught the same material in the same way that it’s being taught online, but instead in a physical classroom, which is a much higher risk for little benefit. 
• Students and staff will have to readjust again to work with the hybrid model. 
• Class time is cut in half for both hybrid groups, which jeopardizes student learning. Class periods will also be shorter, as they follow an adjusted schedule as opposed to full time schedules daily during distance learning. 
• Teachers are unable to lecture in class while lecturing to Zoom due to legal reasons pertaining to other students' voices being recorded, meaning that 50% of students will have to resort to asynchronous learning. 
• RVC has limited spots and limited class choices compared with on-campus classes, making it difficult for students to reach their fullest academic potential. 
• Teachers will have to adjust their courses and possibly accelerate them in order to accommodate for both groups. 
• A large number of students have not been social distancing since March 13th, posing an incredibly high risk to other students and teachers (as well as their families at home) who will be joining them in class and on campus.
• Households with important sibling roles will be harmed in terms of transportation, meal plans, making sure their younger siblings are safe, etc. (non exhaustive list). 
• Teachers are able to reach their entire class 
• Several schools have shown the outcomes of reopening and often close within a week or a few days due to massive increases in case numbers. 
• Counselors can only do so much to ease the anxiety and stress of students during these times, especially with accelerated schedules.
• There are many uncertainties about different situations, and the School Board has not come up with plans for such situations. Schools should be fully prepared before reopening, not filled with uncertainty. Ex: fire drills, the diagnosis of a staff member or student with COVID-19, the enforcement of physical distancing during break, recess, or lunch hours, lockdown drills, etc. (non-exhaustive risk). 
• Young students may have a difficult time adhering to health standards, such as wearing a mask or staying physically distanced. 
• Many families do not have the utilities to receive COVID-19 treatment should a student or staff member return home after unknowingly having contact with an asymptomatic or untested individual.
• Contracting COVID-19 can permanently change the lives of many students, parents, and teachers. 
• Though students would be able to see their friends, they would not be able to socialize with each other as normal (under the assumption that schools will be actively enforcing physical distancing). 

Solutions: 

• Delay the reopening until next school semester (beginning in January and ending in June).
• Allow students to decide whether or not they want to return back to school. 
  Require/provide testing and expect COVID-negative results for individuals deciding to return to school.
• Allow students to have a say in whether or not they want to return by opening up more discussions.