On 9/15/2020 Dr Luu, the Sutter county public health Doctor stated she would start receiving waivers to go to in person education. Some of our young children are struggling with the distance learning. Children with IEP's, special needs, and other children through out the district are struggling to keep up with the online only education being provided. Their mental health is greatly suffering. There has been a rise in depression, anxiety, and emotional outburst that our children are experiencing. Younger children are at great risk, as high levels of stress and isolation can affect brain development, sometimes with irreparable long-term consequences, per weforum.org. We as a community need to re open in person learning, and allow those children that want to go back resume, and those children and families who wish to continue online only stay online. The early years of a child’s life are very important for later health and development. One of the main reasons is how fast the brain grows starting before birth and continuing into early childhood. Although the brain continues to develop and change into adulthood, the first 8 years can build a foundation for future learning, health and life success. (www.CDC.gov)

These children are our future and if they fail at education now it will be harder to catch them up to be successful later in life. Please sign the petition to get Luther Elementary and other Sutter county elementary schools to file for in-person school education.