As lives increasingly return to something resembling what normal used to look like, much remains unknown about the mental health toll the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on everyone—especially children. In District 72, our children have worn masks, sacrificed birthday parties, sports, and even in-person schooling for months on end. It has been a challenging time for our children from an academic, social, and emotional standpoint. It's time to make a change.

With steep declines in Covid case counts in Cook County and ample access to vaccinations for children and adults, it is time for our local school district to reassess the policies put in place months ago. Parents should have our rights to choose what we believe is safest for ourselves or our children.

We, the undersigned residents of Skokie Fairview D72, petition the Fairview D72 Board of Education,  Superintendent Dr. Cindy Whittaker, and Skokie Department of Health to establish a mask optional policy for District 72 schools for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year. 

Please join us in this important opportunity to stand up for our community by signing and sharing this petition with Skokie residents.