Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 12:02     Subject: !!!CALL TO ACTION!!! SB1303 (mandatory in-person school option)
Anonymous wrote:Want a letter to use? Here's an option.

Good morning <SENATOR NAME>,
My name is <YOUR NAME> and I live in <ZIP CODE>. SB1303, a bill from Senator Dunnavant that would require schools in VA to provide an in-person option, has passed the Education Committee and will be headed to the Senate Floor next week--probably on Tuesday. I IMPLORE YOU to support this legislation when it comes up for a vote.

I am not asking for families to be forced to return to in-person education. I am asking for families to be allowed the choice for their children to attend school in-person. This should not be an outrageous request.

The reality is that the Commonwealth government got us into this mess when it shuttered schools in March, 2020. Some school districts have proven to be inept at handling the issue, and because of that kids are struggling mentally and academically. As a society we have an obligation to help our children before we help ourselves. The state government has an obligation to put its foot down to rectify this situation. Please set a baseline standard, as described in Article VIII of our Commonwealth constitution for what is expected from school districts in exchange for the billions of taxpayer dollars they receive and the trust they are provided to shepherd the education of our children. Please support SB1303 to ensure school districts reopen.

Thank you for giving consideration to my views.
Sincerely,
<YOUR NAME>


Thank you! Could you provide a template for the Chap Peterson Bill too?

My concern is the in-person option might end being kids in classrooms and teachers over zoom. Funding is imperative here.

Money is what talks and is what makes things happen unfortunately.

Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 11:59     Subject: !!!CALL TO ACTION!!! SB1303 (mandatory in-person school option)
DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 11:55     Subject: !!!CALL TO ACTION!!! SB1303 (mandatory in-person school option)
Thank you for doing this. We parents really need to rally together. I really have had empathy for teachers all along and have supported them, but it's really getting to the point of being ridiculous, irrational and against science and official guidance. Given what I've seen come out of the union reps' mouths, I can seriously imagine never going back in-person.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 11:48     Subject: !!!CALL TO ACTION!!! SB1303 (mandatory in-person school option)
Great template! Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:Want a letter to use? Here's an option.

Good morning <SENATOR NAME>,
My name is <YOUR NAME> and I live in <ZIP CODE>. SB1303, a bill from Senator Dunnavant that would require schools in VA to provide an in-person option, has passed the Education Committee and will be headed to the Senate Floor next week--probably on Tuesday. I IMPLORE YOU to support this legislation when it comes up for a vote.

I am not asking for families to be forced to return to in-person education. I am asking for families to be allowed the choice for their children to attend school in-person. This should not be an outrageous request.

The reality is that the Commonwealth government got us into this mess when it shuttered schools in March, 2020. Some school districts have proven to be inept at handling the issue, and because of that kids are struggling mentally and academically. As a society we have an obligation to help our children before we help ourselves. The state government has an obligation to put its foot down to rectify this situation. Please set a baseline standard, as described in Article VIII of our Commonwealth constitution for what is expected from school districts in exchange for the billions of taxpayer dollars they receive and the trust they are provided to shepherd the education of our children. Please support SB1303 to ensure school districts reopen.

Thank you for giving consideration to my views.
Sincerely,
<YOUR NAME>
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 11:47     Subject: !!!CALL TO ACTION!!! SB1303 (mandatory in-person school option)
Want a letter to use? Here's an option.

Good morning <SENATOR NAME>,
My name is <YOUR NAME> and I live in <ZIP CODE>. SB1303, a bill from Senator Dunnavant that would require schools in VA to provide an in-person option, has passed the Education Committee and will be headed to the Senate Floor next week--probably on Tuesday. I IMPLORE YOU to support this legislation when it comes up for a vote.

I am not asking for families to be forced to return to in-person education. I am asking for families to be allowed the choice for their children to attend school in-person. This should not be an outrageous request.

The reality is that the Commonwealth government got us into this mess when it shuttered schools in March, 2020. Some school districts have proven to be inept at handling the issue, and because of that kids are struggling mentally and academically. As a society we have an obligation to help our children before we help ourselves. The state government has an obligation to put its foot down to rectify this situation. Please set a baseline standard, as described in Article VIII of our Commonwealth constitution for what is expected from school districts in exchange for the billions of taxpayer dollars they receive and the trust they are provided to shepherd the education of our children. Please support SB1303 to ensure school districts reopen.

Thank you for giving consideration to my views.
Sincerely,
<YOUR NAME>
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 11:46     Subject: !!!CALL TO ACTION!!! SB1303 (mandatory in-person school option)
Anonymous wrote:The idea for this bull is good but it is irresponsibly short. There is no “unless CDC says to close schools” or “unless the student refuses to wear a mask”. I am worried if this passes the schools will throw their hands up about the no maskers and not even try to enforce as they can’t do anything if the kids refuse.

https://www.richmondsunlight.com/bill/2021/sb1303/fulltext/


Then make suggestions on how to make it safer
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 11:46     Subject: !!!CALL TO ACTION!!! SB1303 (mandatory in-person school option)
While you are calling/emailing, Chap Petersen has a budget amendment offered which requires schools to offer in-person learning in order to get funding for SY 2021-2022. Consider voicing your support for that one too.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 11:45     Subject: !!!CALL TO ACTION!!! SB1303 (mandatory in-person school option)
Anonymous wrote:The idea for this bull is good but it is irresponsibly short. There is no “unless CDC says to close schools” or “unless the student refuses to wear a mask”. I am worried if this passes the schools will throw their hands up about the no maskers and not even try to enforce as they can’t do anything if the kids refuse.

https://www.richmondsunlight.com/bill/2021/sb1303/fulltext/


You can always suggest your senator amend it.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 11:45     Subject: !!!CALL TO ACTION!!! SB1303 (mandatory in-person school option)
If you have ideas about what needs to be included in the bill, please include that in your message to your representatives. e.g. details such as full-time in-person,
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 11:44     Subject: !!!CALL TO ACTION!!! SB1303 (mandatory in-person school option)
The idea for this bull is good but it is irresponsibly short. There is no “unless CDC says to close schools” or “unless the student refuses to wear a mask”. I am worried if this passes the schools will throw their hands up about the no maskers and not even try to enforce as they can’t do anything if the kids refuse.

https://www.richmondsunlight.com/bill/2021/sb1303/fulltext/
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 11:43     Subject: !!!CALL TO ACTION!!! SB1303 (mandatory in-person school option)
Besides just emailing, consider calling your senator and perhaps all the senators representing your county. It's *really* easy. You call, state your name and zip code (to identify if you are a direct constituent), and ask them to support 1303. It can be done in a minute or two. Sometimes a live human will answer who gets messages to multiple senators, which makes it even easier.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 11:40     Subject: Re:!!!CALL TO ACTION!!! SB1303 (mandatory in-person school option)
done. i really hope the silent majority speaks up. our children are suffering.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 11:37     Subject: !!!CALL TO ACTION!!! SB1303 (mandatory in-person school option)
done. done. done.

Thanks for organizing this! Our children need a voice in this matter, which has been dominated by teachers.
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 11:35     Subject: !!!CALL TO ACTION!!! SB1303 (mandatory in-person school option)
I agree we need a law. It's ridiculous how the unions are now saying they don't want to go back until the children are vaccinated. Meanwhile, there are many kids in several states and private schools who have been going in-person since August with no significant issues...
Anonymous
Post 01/29/2021 11:31     Subject: !!!CALL TO ACTION!!! SB1303 (mandatory in-person school option)
SB1303, which mandates an in-person school option, passed the Education Committee in the Senate on 1/28 (YAY!). But it still has a ways to go to become law. WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

The bill will go before the full VA Senate next week (wk of 2/1). Please contact your VA State Senator right away and share your opinion!
You can find his/her contact info here: https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/

If it passes the full senate vote, then it will go before the House of Delegates the week after (wk of 2/8). Please contact your VA Delegate and share your opinion!
You can find his/her contact info here: https://whosmy.virginiageneralassembly.gov/

If it passes the House of Delegates, then it will go before Governor Northam. Please contact Governor Northam and share your opinion! You can do that here: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/constituent-services/communicating-with-the-governors-office/


I know there are tentative plans to bring kids back into the classroom in March, but we can’t rely on that given the teachers unions’ bully pulpit, especially w/r/t next school year. There needs to be someone/something that PUTS OUR CHILDREN FIRST!