It is wholly unfair and inequitable to make our children pay the biggest price during the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies and data from across the globe show children are suffering academically and developmentally. The social isolation alone has already had an enormous mental and physical impact on our children, creating long-term negative consequences that could last for months, if not years, after the pandemic ends.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging a return to classroom instruction as soon as possible, citing “a preponderance of available evidence” that it is safe for both students and teachers with the right safety protocols, such as masks, social distancing, and hand washing.

Students should not be trapped in an arbitrary tier system and made to jump through hoops to access a quality education. Safe, in-person education for ALL children in California should be an essential right for those parents that choose it. The health and wellbeing of our children – the future of California – should be our elected leaders’ top priority.

California is woefully behind dozens of other states, and most of Europe, who have already put kids first and reopened public schools. We demand that Governor Newsom act now. Governor Newsom’s slogan is “California for All”, we need him to Open Schools in California for ALL.