The district has confirmed that our students will return to full-time, in-person instruction. It is rewarding to see our persistence lead to this change for the benefit of our schools. We should remain attentive as the transition unfolds to ensure this plan is carried out effectively for everyone.
April 7, 2021
Final supporters
Dear Superintendent Graupman and Greece Board of Education Members:
cc: Dr. Mendoza, County Executive Bello, CDC
We respectfully ask that all students in our district be allowed to return to school for full-time, in-person instruction immediately. Given the updated guidelines from the CDC as of Friday, February 12, 2021 wherein 6 feet of social distancing is suggested but not required in schools, especially those in lower transmission areas, we respectfully ask you to revisit the NYSED and NYSDOH guidelines as they stand and allow full time learning in this district for all students.
NYSDOH MANDATES 6 FEET OF DISTANCING OR MASKING. Greece Central Schools engage in universal full-time masking.
NYSED REQUIRES SOCIAL DISTANCING OF 6 FEET OR BARRIERS.
Operating under the same guidelines you have been given by NYSDOH and NYSED, Greece needs to a) modify the 6’ distance in classrooms to 3’, OR b) needs to decrease 6’ distance with the addition of barriers for extra safety.
These are viable solution for Greece to return most, if not all, students to full time learning. Other districts in Monroe County are not distancing 6' AND using masks.
We are requesting this because:
- Significant data collected in this pandemic shows that three feet of social distancing for children in school is safe, combined with other safety protocols in place such as mask wearing and participating in the daily health screenings. Teachers can continue to maintain a six-foot distance from students (ex. "Why three feet of social distancing should be enough in schools," by Doctors Joseph Allen and Sara Bleich, Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, article appearing in The Washington Post, November 11, 2020).
- There has been no evidence of Covid transmitting locally in our schools. As Governor Cuomo and Dr. Mendoza have each stated, our schools are one of the safest places for children to be (NYS Covid Report Card Data, 2/17/21).
- Students of all ages are experiencing emotional, social, and physical distress from being out of school and without their teachers on a full-time basis. They are disengaged from their teachers and peers and disengaged from learning. These serious known consequences need to be addressed. Scientific evidence suggests that the Covid virus is here to stay. School needs to adjust to this new reality and find a way to get all students back in the classroom full time.
- Teachers have joined the advocacy anonymously WITH parents. The workload of teachers has doubled, and their in-person time with individual students has been halved. They want to be part of the planning to bring students back full-time.
We respectfully ask that you reopen our schools immediately on a full-time basis, while continuing to preserve the remote option for those who need it. We request this virtual option be integrated into the classroom learning. Thank you for your dedicated service to our community.
This petition can be signed by parents or guardians of Greece Central students, Greece Central staff and teachers, or Greece resident school tax payers. Please provide your name and email address where prompted. You do not need a SignUp Genius account to sign this petition.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
February 25, 2021
Reached 100 supporters
February 24, 2021
100 Comments
Not having 5 day school week is causing a huge hardship for us families with little or no family in the area. I had to leave my job of 14 years due to childcare issues.
Our students have lost to much by our schools being closed. They will never be able to get back they have lost. Seniors last year missed out on so much of their final year, and this year's seniors will be missing out as well. Maybe their Sr prom could be salvaged if they would just reopen.
My 8th grader has a 504 and my 4th grader has an IEP and neither of there accommodations are being met.. They deserve to have a real education.. As a medical professional Covid isn't going anywhere soon.. Our kids need there 5 days to get a proper education...
Bills Games, Restaurants, Youth Sports, Wegmans then no reason schools can’t. I thought masks work and were needed if 6ft can’t be maintained. What about the mental hygiene and not learning effects?
Open the schools full time!!! Emails I receive DAILY from my school state: "The MCDPH determined this case was not a result of being on our campus. They have also determined that there was no exposure to anyone in classrooms, on school buses or in the school buildings" so why aren't the schools open?!?!
These kids need school period.......
Please our kids need to be back in school full time.
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The district has confirmed that our students will return to full-time, in-person instruction. It is rewarding to see our persistence lead to this change for the benefit of our schools. We should remain attentive as the transition unfolds to ensure this plan is carried out effectively for everyone.
April 7, 2021
Final supporters
Dear Superintendent Graupman and Greece Board of Education Members:
cc: Dr. Mendoza, County Executive Bello, CDC
We respectfully ask that all students in our district be allowed to return to school for full-time, in-person instruction immediately. Given the updated guidelines from the CDC as of Friday, February 12, 2021 wherein 6 feet of social distancing is suggested but not required in schools, especially those in lower transmission areas, we respectfully ask you to revisit the NYSED and NYSDOH guidelines as they stand and allow full time learning in this district for all students.
NYSDOH MANDATES 6 FEET OF DISTANCING OR MASKING. Greece Central Schools engage in universal full-time masking.
NYSED REQUIRES SOCIAL DISTANCING OF 6 FEET OR BARRIERS.
Operating under the same guidelines you have been given by NYSDOH and NYSED, Greece needs to a) modify the 6’ distance in classrooms to 3’, OR b) needs to decrease 6’ distance with the addition of barriers for extra safety.
These are viable solution for Greece to return most, if not all, students to full time learning. Other districts in Monroe County are not distancing 6' AND using masks.
We are requesting this because:
- Significant data collected in this pandemic shows that three feet of social distancing for children in school is safe, combined with other safety protocols in place such as mask wearing and participating in the daily health screenings. Teachers can continue to maintain a six-foot distance from students (ex. "Why three feet of social distancing should be enough in schools," by Doctors Joseph Allen and Sara Bleich, Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, article appearing in The Washington Post, November 11, 2020).
- There has been no evidence of Covid transmitting locally in our schools. As Governor Cuomo and Dr. Mendoza have each stated, our schools are one of the safest places for children to be (NYS Covid Report Card Data, 2/17/21).
- Students of all ages are experiencing emotional, social, and physical distress from being out of school and without their teachers on a full-time basis. They are disengaged from their teachers and peers and disengaged from learning. These serious known consequences need to be addressed. Scientific evidence suggests that the Covid virus is here to stay. School needs to adjust to this new reality and find a way to get all students back in the classroom full time.
- Teachers have joined the advocacy anonymously WITH parents. The workload of teachers has doubled, and their in-person time with individual students has been halved. They want to be part of the planning to bring students back full-time.
We respectfully ask that you reopen our schools immediately on a full-time basis, while continuing to preserve the remote option for those who need it. We request this virtual option be integrated into the classroom learning. Thank you for your dedicated service to our community.
This petition can be signed by parents or guardians of Greece Central students, Greece Central staff and teachers, or Greece resident school tax payers. Please provide your name and email address where prompted. You do not need a SignUp Genius account to sign this petition.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
February 25, 2021
Reached 100 supporters
February 24, 2021
100 Comments
Current Greece Resident with an Elementary school aged child who is struggling with remote learning. Has developed anxiety and is craving the social connections with her peers.
Not having 5 day school week is causing a huge hardship for us families with little or no family in the area. I had to leave my job of 14 years due to childcare issues.
Our students have lost to much by our schools being closed. They will never be able to get back they have lost. Seniors last year missed out on so much of their final year, and this year's seniors will be missing out as well. Maybe their Sr prom could be salvaged if they would just reopen.
My 8th grader has a 504 and my 4th grader has an IEP and neither of there accommodations are being met.. They deserve to have a real education.. As a medical professional Covid isn't going anywhere soon.. Our kids need there 5 days to get a proper education...
Bills Games, Restaurants, Youth Sports, Wegmans then no reason schools can’t. I thought masks work and were needed if 6ft can’t be maintained. What about the mental hygiene and not learning effects?
Open the schools full time!!! Emails I receive DAILY from my school state: "The MCDPH determined this case was not a result of being on our campus. They have also determined that there was no exposure to anyone in classrooms, on school buses or in the school buildings" so why aren't the schools open?!?!
These kids need school period.......
Please our kids need to be back in school full time.
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Current Greece Resident with an Elementary school aged child who is struggling with remote learning. Has developed anxiety and is craving the social connections with her peers.