Dear Governor Cooper,

This petition is a request for the state of North Carolina to provide an option for students of charter schools for Virtual learning until kids are vaccinated.

Charter School classrooms are overcrowded in all grades, from K to 12, with many having desks butting up against each other.

We as parents are very concerned and anxious about the well being of our kids, especially since the vaccines are still not available to children under 12.

With the original variant, students were less likely to be seriously impacted, but in the case of the Delta variant, children’s hospitals across the country have seen a surge in symptomatic infections and based on recent CDC comments, children can easily contract the virus & carry it home to younger or older family members, which in-turn is potentially a matter of life and death.

While we understand that in-person schooling is the best option for our kids to learn and grow, safeguarding our kids during a pandemic is equally important to their well being. Based on the latest information from Pfizer, their plan is to submit clinical trial data by September with a hope to get an EUA for younger kids within a matter of weeks. Once children are vaccinated, it gives their bodies a chance to deal with this virus and reduces the chances of major outbreaks.

We are requesting a hybrid model - i.e. virtual option along with in-person. Families deserve to have a choice in our children’s education and to do what is best for our kids.

Best ,

NC Charter School Parents