As a group of Tosa Connected parents, Phase Into Learning parents, Wauwatosa Virtual Academy parents, and concerned community members, we strongly urge the Wauwatosa School District to continue and maintain all three formats of learning currently offered to Wauwatosa families through the entirety of the 2020/2021 school year.

When Tosa Connected was offered as an option for Wauwatosa students, many of us selected it because it allowed our students to still have wonderful Tosa teachers and stay socially connected to their friends and classmates while also remaining safe at home. And, while Wauwatosa Virtual Academy is an option that is available for virtual learning, it does not meet the needs of the families who chose Tosa Connected.

Across-the-board, Tosa Connected families agree that a major strength of the Tosa Connected program is that it keeps students, their families, and our teachers safe. Students in Tosa Connected are less likely to be exposed to COVID-19 and because of the number of families who opted for Tosa Connected (roughly 20% of the student body), in-person students who may have need for in-person attention and learning styles are able to have smaller class sizes allowing for social distancing and a safer in-person environment. Eliminating the Tosa Connected option and moving toward a five day in-person plan for all students at this juncture would not be wise taking into consideration rising cases in our state, colder weather forcing students indoors, and the start of flu season.

Because of these concerns, Tosa Connected should be maintained for the entire school year. Each learner in the Wauwatosa school district deserves to have a safe, equitable, consistent, and clear learning environment that best suits their needs. Considering changes to already established relationships, schedules, and routines will be frustrating and confusing for families, teachers, and students. The district should be making plans with this in mind and prevent constant changes to learning formats and routines.

This petition does not seek full virtual classes for all students and it is not attempting to stop 5 day in-person learning when the metrics that were approved by the Medical Advisory board have been reached. Those who have chosen to attach their names to this letter are requesting that Tosa Connected be continued and maintained in its current format throughout the 2020/2021 school year where students continue to receive direct instruction and interaction with their classroom teacher in all subjects in order to:

• Allow for smaller in-person class sizes so physical distancing can be achieved
• Allow our students to maintain a connection to their wonderful Tosa teachers, friends, and classmates
• Keep our students, families, and community safe
• Provide an equitable and consistent learning environment for all students without frequent change to already established routines

Thank you for your time and consideration of our request.

Very Sincerely,

The Many and Diverse Families of the Wauwatosa School District