The outbreak of the COVID-19 virus is going to continue to spread around the country, and has already taken an effect on the residents in Oakwood. We pride ourselves on being a small, close-knit community, and at the same time, we are a community that is of higher socio-economic status. We have the complete ability to send the school district online. We tend to disregard the severity of the situation and assume it won't affect us in Oakwood. It is only a matter of time before Oakwood is forced to reclose due to another wave or outbreak. Why get to that point? Why wait until things escalate when we have the power to prevent sickness?

Although the fatality rate of students ages 6-18 is low. they are still contagious. This could spread within a family where the chances of more extreme cases may occur as the ages go up which will affect being able to pay bills and live the everyday life. The closure of Dayton Public Schools and surrounding high schools around Dayton will help significantly in containing the COVID-19 virus. The burden should not be on the students of Oakwood, although they must find it in ourselves to look after their fellow Daytonians (regardless of Zip Code). Many other area high schools have closed such as Kettering and Centerville have moved completely online. The pandemic has forced colleges and universities to make drastic changes from students moving into their dorm to how they live and attend class. Some schools, like Miami, are starting in the fall online (https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2020/07/27/miami-university-classes-beginning-online-fall-semester/5522323002/ Other schools, such as UD have recently elevated their campus status due to COVID-19 (https://udayton.edu/news/articles/2020/08/covid_update.php Students have been granted alternatives to this national crisis such as online schools in which their teacher teaches them online or schools have entirely shutdown with no classes. This can benefit the students of OHS mental and physical health. This outbreak has been shown to be causing a lot of stress in America and in Ohio where the number of cases are rising rapidly due to traveling. Students may be diagnosed with mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety if someone in their family catches Covid-19 and they feel as if it is their fault. This is for the safety of all people as many health experts are trying to develop vaccines in order to come to a solution for our safety. But for now for more certainty of OHS students not catching the recent coronavirus there should be school closures or online school for all OHS students. This being said in the meanwhile everyone take precautions on your own health + safety.

Stand with us, as we raise our voices for the safety of our children, our teachers, and our community. Sign and share this petition asking for no in-person school for children.