We the parents, teachers, staff, and taxpayers of the city of Williamsburg and James City County are requesting the School Board revoke their mask mandate and allow for masks to be OPTIONAL for the 2021-2022 School Year. We are requesting for the board to respect parents’ ability to make the informed decisions for our children on wearing masks at school.

We ask you to consider current data from Virginia Department of Health regarding infection rate and deaths of children in our area. Adults are the most vulnerable population and vaccines are readily available to all adults and those over the age of 12 who want get it. The likelihood of ill effects from Covid among the student populations are extremely low. Making masks optional will allow for those who would like to continue to wear them to do so, while allowing the option for all parties to chose what's best for their own children.

Wearing masks can come with their own physical and emotional health risks to our children wearing them all day. These may include but are not limited to the following: difficulty breathing, headaches, dizziness, decreased focus, weakened immune system, emotional distress, and more. Not to mention most masks are improperly worn by non-medical personnel, are frequently touched to adjust them, thus increasing risk of getting sick.

We ask all signers of this petition, if you are a parent of a school age child, that you comment below with the WJCC school your child attends.