We are starting this petition to resume in person learning, and extra curricular activities in the West De Pere School District. The schools are the safest place for the kids to be. They are required to wear masks and follow school guidelines. They  do this, day in and day out. When the school decided to switch to virtual learning, they stated that covid was not being spread in the school but rather through the surrounding community. If that is the case why keep the schools in virtual learning any longer? By doing so, we are arguably putting our kids at greater physical risk, and damaging their mental health. Piece by piece we are asking the kids to give up an extremely pivotal part of their life. The adults making these decisions have already had the chance to experience these things, but we continue asking them to give more of their childhood away. If we keep shutting down, we are teaching our kids that in the face of adversity that it is ok to give in, and give up. They can go to school and be safe, the schools were doing an amazing job of that . 

All of the teachers, staff, and administrators at West De Pere are extremely good at what they do, their impact on the students is immeasurable, and now more than ever, we need to let them get back to doing what they do best. The kids need to be back in their classrooms learning from people who love to teach.

The students need to be social again. They need to be involved in the extra curricular programs that West De Pere has to offer. They need to join the student outreach program, the need to play sports, the need to perform in the school play and have the opportunity to participate in everything in between. 

We know that the West De Pere school boards top priority is the physical and emotional safety of all of the staff and students. We appreciate everything you have done for us. Please continue to help us to get the kids back into school and extra curricular activities safely.