August 5,2021 the Texas Education Agency provided a Public Health Guidance. I encourage all to read. It states that due to data "showing very low COVID-19 transmission rates in a classroom setting and data demonstrating lower transmission rates among children than adults, school systems are not required to conduct COVID-19 contract tracing". It also states: "Parents of students who are determined to be close contacts of an individual with COVID-19 may opt to keep their students at home during the recommended stay-at-home period". In the guidance it does state: "If an individual who has been in a school is test-confirmed to have COVID-19, the school must notify its local health department, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations". It does not state of informing parents of a positive case. It does state,"If school systems are made aware that a student is a close contact, the school system should notify the student's parents".

We all know Governor Abbott has lifted the mask mandate and is not enforcing it as our children return to school. Some Texas school districts have become proactive and/or considering for masks to be worn as well as looking into providing virtual school. The government is not showing empathy for our children, parents, families (which includes school districts faculty and staff). TEA and the Texas government are making "decisions" for their interest not for the people. 

 Please consider to sign this petition so our voices can be heard and that we want  TEA and the Texas government to be for the people ,our children not against.