Greetings -
Thank you for signing on to the Letter of Concern and sharing your support for safe schools in Arizona. The team has been working to continue to build momentum and push public opinion to support schools in implementing public health guidance to keep students safe. Continue to follow along as we will be sending out updates on success we have had, upcoming events and information for ways for you to take action.
Nationally, there is data showing that “almost 72,000 children and teens caught Covid-19 last week - a ‘substantial’ increase fom a week earlier, the American Academy of Pediatrics reported Tuesday. The group counted 71,726 new cases from July 22 - 29. That is a ‘substantial increase from the nearly 39,000 cases reported the week before, and five times as many kids who were sick at the end of June. The definition of child vaires by state, but generally included those up to age 17 or 18.”
As of yesterday, Arizona is clearly in the midst of another wave due in large part of the Covid-19 delta variant.
The Arizona Department of health Covid-19 dashboard is showing increases every day in new cases and deaths.
The effort to get the word out asking that schools implement common sense public health policy guidance to protect students and staff is working.
Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction has called “on Governor Ducey to follow the guidance of public health experts and give schools back their local decision-making authority to set policies for safe in-person instruction.”
There have been several op/eds from the Arizona Republic newspaper from both ends of the political spectrum.
Phoenix Union High School District, the largest high school district in Arizona, updated mask requirements.
Phoenix Elementary School District #1 followed health organizations and public health guidelines by reinstating masks.
Last night Osborn School District No. 8 announced they will be requiring masks.
Roosevelt School District, also last night, decided to follow CDC guidelines and require all students, staff, and visitors to wear a face mask.
The medical and healthcare community have come out in force advocating for good public policy to be followed in schools.
The Right 2 Safe Schools has been busy getting the word out.
Dr. Elizabeth Jacobs was a special guest on a virtual event with Arizona Educators United.
Trevor Nelson has given several interviews with local journalist.
This morning, the teacher who brought a lawsuit against Phoenix Union High School District has an initial hearing. Learn more about the outcome here.
As it stands now PUHSD, and other districts, will continue with their face mask mandates, unless/until told otherwise. Teacher Hester may or may not enforce it in his classroom. Oral arguments are scheduled for next Friday (August 13, 2021) at 9 am. There was discussion that the law was not in effect, and that PUHSD will file a motion of dismissal.
Arizona Governor Ducey said as much on the radio that the law that has the ban on mask mandates does not go into effect until Sept. 29, 2021.
There is still time to write to the Governing Boards of the local school districts and ask them to put in place all available public health guidance including vaccines, masks, distancing, ventilation, testing, and quarantine for those exposed.
To continue to show your support we invite you to record and post a short video or write a social media post expressing your support and commitment to safe schools in Arizona.
Here is a link to a brief outline to get you started, some topics you can add to make it your own, and some additional resources to learn in more detail the mitigation steps to protect children in schools.
Be sure to follow us on Twitter - @Right2SafeAz
In your social media posts (video or written) remember to do the following;
Please post the link to the Letter of Concern;
https://tinyurl.com/Right2SafeAZSchools
In every social media post use the hashtags;
#WeNotMe
#Right2SafeAZSchools
Thank you for continuing to support safe schools in Arizona.
Information about what is next is coming soon!
Sincerely,
-Right2SafeAZSchools Team
PS; you can share this message with other to keep them up to date.