“Raising the next generation is a shared responsibility. When families, communities and schools work together, students are more successful and the entire community benefits.”

-U.S. Department of Education

We are Gretna residents, parents, family and friends of children who attend Gretna Public Schools (GPS) and are writing to insist that the Gretna Public School District immediately impose universal masking requirements, along with instituting consistent contract tracing and/ or quarantining for anyone who was in contact with persons who have received a positive Covid test or have Covid-like symptoms if not tested. Taking these immediate actions in the face of increasing cases of Covid-19, the Delta Variant or other potential varients is the least restrictive means by which the district can protect our children.

A Duke University’s recent study of 1 million school children showed that universal masking is a close second to vaccination to protect against contracting or spreading Covid-19. It is known that the Delta varient is affecting children more than the original form of Covid-19, that children could potentially get sicker, that vaccinated adolescents and adults can carry and transmit the virus to unvaccinated or otherwise vulnerable individuals and that the cases of Delta are rapidly increasing in Sarpy County and surrounding areas. We know that local physicians and hospitals are being stressed by increasing RSV and Delta cases, and are urging us to follow CDC guidelines to help the transmission of such diseases; also know that our kids learn best in an in school setting.

That being said, our children also have a right to expect to be safe in our schools. Many of our children are under the age of 12 and are not eligible to receive a Covid vaccine. In order to help ensure their safety be met at this time and under these circumstancese, we are insisting that the Gretna Public School Board immediately require universal masking and contact tracing within GPS. Please heed the advice of the many professionals at the CDC and American Academy of Pediatrics; we all must do everything we possibly can to protect the health and safety of our kids, especially those who are currently ineligible to get a Covid vaccine which could prevent them from contracting a potentially deadly virus. We don’t yet know what the long-term negative impacts on their health might be. Help us help them!

Thank you for considering this request and remember your promise:

"At Gretna Public Schools, the health and safety of our students, students’ families and staff is our priority."

Signed,

Concerned Gretna residents, parents, family and friends of children who attend Gretna Public Schools