March 13 marks one year that the majority of our children have been outside of their classrooms.  Although they are currently receiving virtual instruction, it's clear that this does not replace in person learning.  Academic scores have dropped, child depression and suicide rates have increased, and many students have not logged in all year.  Our children are suffering.  A quality education is a service that you have agreed to provide us in return for our taxes which we continue to pay.  It is both a legal and a moral obligation.  We have been patient, and we have been cooperative, but we can no longer stand to see our children suffer the consequences of schools not being open for more than a handful of students.

Without further action on your part, schools will not open for more students in Advisory 4 nor in the next academic year.  Current DCPS health guidelines -- or at least your interpretation of those guidelines -- are making it impossible for schools to open in person for more students because of staffing and space limitations.

We demand that you: 

1.     Prioritize all teachers and staff for the vaccine now: including those not currently in person as well as non-DCPS staff working in schools.

2.     Remove the 2-hour requirement for rooms to be used between cohorts.  There is no scientific research backing this decision and furthermore the air in classrooms is cleaned every 30 min as per your recent $24 million HVAC updates. This 2-hour requirement is not providing any additional safety.  Because of this arbitrary requirement, schools cannot use the same space for 2 cohorts in one day, making it impossible to bring more children back into our schools now or in the future.

3.     Increase the number of cohorts teachers and staff can interact with.  The current cap makes it impossible for administrators to have enough staff.

4.     Remove the 11 students per class cap and reduce the 6ft distancing guideline.  The World Health Organization recommends 3ft. or more “where feasible” [1] between individuals in the classroom.  Multiple school districts around the country have reduced the physical distancing requirements and have been in school successfully since September, even in times of high community spread [2][3][4]. Not only is this making it impossible for schools to expand in person services for Advisory 4, but schools will never be able to fully open in person if this guideline remains.  There is simply not enough staff and not enough space.

None of the above are logistically difficult or costly changes, and all rely on data and science we have learned in the last 11 months. They are simple, but very practical and critical changes that must happen in order to get all of our children back in school as soon as possible.

We demand change.  We demand you move forward with opening schools in person for all students who want and are able to attend.  Education is essential.  It is our children’s right and it is something you have been elected to provide us.  Show us that you really are committed to Reopening Strong!

[1] https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/considerations-for-school-related-public-health-measures-in-the-context-of-covid-19

[2] https://coronavirus.ohio.gov/static/responsible/schools/OSCE_evaluation.pdf

[3] https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7004e3.htm

[4]https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/pediatrics/early/2021/01/06/peds.2020-048090.full.pdf