***Please ONLY sign if you are a Westchester County Resident, Student, or Employee of the school districts throughout Westchester***

We, the parents of Westchester County are advocating for parental choice when it comes to mask-wearing during the 2021-2022 school year.

This petition is in favor of mask choice for school-aged children in grades K-12 in Westchester County Schools. We are calling on our Superintendents, BOE members, and district administrators not to mandate masks for 2021-2022. Parents should have the right to choose whether or not their children are masked in school. 

Since teachers, staff, and other faculty members all have had the opportunity to be fully vaccinated, the perceived risk of children spreading the virus to adults is low. There is no public health justification for forcing children to wear masks in school.  Masking children is causing more physical, mental, and emotional harm to their overall wellbeing. 

Children deserve to be able to breathe normally and not through a mask! 

It is time that we give our children back their childhood and allow them the chance to be kids without fear!
 

With that being said, for two consecutive school years children have been marred by COVID restrictions. It is important that a third year does not contain regulations pertaining to a virus that does not affect children in any significant manner. It is critical for the mental and social well-being of our children to not be forced to wear a mask.  Teachers can opt to wear a mask and also get vaccinated per their choice! 

Children are being forced to bear a burden that does not belong to them.
Parents must be given the option as to whether or not they want their child to be masked!     

***We, the parents have our constitutional right to decide what we feel is best for our children.***

Collectively, we feel that wearing a mask will have a much more detrimental effect than if children were not masked. 

Masking children is not doing anything of substance other than taking away the human connection, blocking breathing passageways of our most vulnerable population, and causing discomfort throughout the school day.  Please allow parents to make informed decisions on their own child’s health needs and allow masks to be optional in the schools.  

Please stand with us to make masks optional! 

     ****If masks are required in the 2021-2022 school year, allow children to unmask in the classrooms, specials, outside and cafeteria per parents choice**** 

Sincerely,

CONCERNED PARENTS OF WESTCHESTER COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS