Make Masks mandatory till a vaccine is available to school age children in East Helena Public schools
The EHPS School board of trustees are NOT MEDICAL EXPERTS or scientists! Some intervention needs to happen for the sake of our children. MASK UP the schools please! Masks should not be an option.
Here’s my story: When the East Helena school board of trustees took away the mask mandate 3 weeks prior to the school year coming to an end. My children both continued to wear a mask at school (Radley Elm) it was only 5 days later my kids had covid. My 4th grader suffered with sick symptoms for 20 days + with high fevers for 5+ days, upset stomach, diarrhea, weakness, loss of appetite, loss of taste and smell. Not wanting to eat. It’s been 2.5 months and my 4th grader is still experiencing breathing and coughing with exercise. Before covid infected my child he was a healthy young boy with no health conditions. My daughter also ended up getting covid-19. However her symptoms are mild and practically unnoticeable. Allergy like symptoms making it very easy to mistake for a parent, teacher or school nurse. This is the very reason why my kids came down with covid. Unnoticeable symptoms leading to exposure in the classroom of 25 students with only 3-4 with a mask on. This is the very reason why masks should still be in place and mandatory!
Don’t let this happen to your children. Not one person can predict what the outcome will be if your child gets covid-19. Why is the EHPS board of trustees taking that chance and waiting to see if a child becomes severely ill or hospitalized and the worst death. This doesn’t only effect children. This is our community. People in on EH community have died. In fact a EHPS parent has died last January. We need to stop the spread to our community. The people/children who can’t get vaccinated and the people who don’t want to get vaccinated. People are people no matter your opinions. We need to come together as a community and fight this together. The delta variant is starting to spread in our community and the Lewis and Clark county community transmission rate are at a status of ‘HIGH’.
Montana Office of Public Instruction is recommending to follow the CDC Strategies for K-12 schools. Including universal masking! Here are the CDC’s keys points to a layered prevention plan for schools:
- Evidence suggests that many K-12 schools that have strictly implemented prevention strategies have been able to safely open for in-person instruction and remain open.
- CDC’s K-12 operational strategy presents a pathway for schools to provide in-person instruction safely through consistent use of prevention strategies, including universal and correct use of masks and physical distancing.
- All schools should implement and layer prevention strategies and should prioritize universal and correct use of masks and physical distancing.
- Testing to identify individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination for teachers and staff provide additional layers of COVID-19 protection in schools
According to the CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky 400 children have died from covid-19 in the United States. This may not seem like a large number to some. However tell that to the parents and families that lost their child. Even though MT has not had a child die in result of covid-19. We are only one of the few states that haven’t and I’m sure our days our numbered. 23 states now have had child deaths related to covid-19. Why is the East Helena School board of trustees testing fate? Masks help and are proven to slow the spread of infection.
Not only did both my kids get covid they also had to quarantine the remainder of the year. So while their classrooms where having field trips, parties and experiencing the last days of school my kids were at home sick in quarantine. I don’t blame the school board for COVID-19. I do however blame the board for removing the mask mandate and increasing the risk of getting covid.
I know I’m not the only one that feels this way. I know parents in the community feel the same way I do and struggle with speaking up. This is your chance! Sign this petition and make your voice be heard.
Masks should be mandatory until a vaccine is available for all school aged children. Then each parents can make a choice to mask or not so mask. Masks work when we are all trying to be a part of the solution not the problem.
Updates
August 10, 2021
I am truly overwhelmed by the messages so many of you have shared about your own children and the fears we all carry. I never imagined this would bring together so many concerned people who just want our schools to be a safer place. This momentum belongs to all of you who are brave enough to speak up.
August 10, 2021
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people have joined this cause. This momentum belongs entirely to you and I never imagined that my family's story would resonate with so many neighbors.
19 Comments
I'm a student at East Helena Public schools and I'm ok with wearing a mask at school. I want to go to school.
I’ve been suffering with Long Haul Covid since last November, resulting in Restrictive and Obstructive lung disease. However, my ultimate priority is our EH kiddos…all of them! Most cannot get vaccinated and it is possible to contract it again even then vaccinated. Why are we risking even one life of a student, staff member or community member? It’s not worth it!
I work for the VA. We have medical experts advising us regarding CIVID. We must wear masks in our office buildings unless we are alone in a room. Many of us g Ave been vaccinated against COVID but for the health and safety of all we wear masks. The Delta variant is noted to be having a severe effect on young children. These are the ones who cannot receive a vaccine. It is you job to protect these children. Reinstate the mask mandate until the vaccine has been approve for all ages. So our kids can be safe. I want every child attending school in East Helena to be healthy and safe. To live and not suffer long lasting health effects from being infected.
Both of my children had Covid in December, and my son was hit quite hard. He ran fevers of 102 and above for 20 consecutive days. It was absolutely terrifying. Multiple tests were run and out pediatrician was in contact with Seattle Children’s Hospital. I do not want to see what covid could do to his little body, or ANY child’s little body. Please, PLEASE - I beg you. Keep masks mandatory until we have the opportunity to have our children vaccinated!!!!!
My son had covid in Nov. He had breathing issues that extended into the summer months. He had no preexisting conditions. He now has an inhaler. You don't know how your body will react to covid-19. Both of my children are too young to receive the vaccine at this time. Please make masks mandatory until they are able to receive the vaccine. We want our children to attend school in person.
It's a no brainer.
Yes. Protect our children
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Make Masks mandatory till a vaccine is available to school age children in East Helena Public schools
The EHPS School board of trustees are NOT MEDICAL EXPERTS or scientists! Some intervention needs to happen for the sake of our children. MASK UP the schools please! Masks should not be an option.
Here’s my story: When the East Helena school board of trustees took away the mask mandate 3 weeks prior to the school year coming to an end. My children both continued to wear a mask at school (Radley Elm) it was only 5 days later my kids had covid. My 4th grader suffered with sick symptoms for 20 days + with high fevers for 5+ days, upset stomach, diarrhea, weakness, loss of appetite, loss of taste and smell. Not wanting to eat. It’s been 2.5 months and my 4th grader is still experiencing breathing and coughing with exercise. Before covid infected my child he was a healthy young boy with no health conditions. My daughter also ended up getting covid-19. However her symptoms are mild and practically unnoticeable. Allergy like symptoms making it very easy to mistake for a parent, teacher or school nurse. This is the very reason why my kids came down with covid. Unnoticeable symptoms leading to exposure in the classroom of 25 students with only 3-4 with a mask on. This is the very reason why masks should still be in place and mandatory!
Don’t let this happen to your children. Not one person can predict what the outcome will be if your child gets covid-19. Why is the EHPS board of trustees taking that chance and waiting to see if a child becomes severely ill or hospitalized and the worst death. This doesn’t only effect children. This is our community. People in on EH community have died. In fact a EHPS parent has died last January. We need to stop the spread to our community. The people/children who can’t get vaccinated and the people who don’t want to get vaccinated. People are people no matter your opinions. We need to come together as a community and fight this together. The delta variant is starting to spread in our community and the Lewis and Clark county community transmission rate are at a status of ‘HIGH’.
Montana Office of Public Instruction is recommending to follow the CDC Strategies for K-12 schools. Including universal masking! Here are the CDC’s keys points to a layered prevention plan for schools:
- Evidence suggests that many K-12 schools that have strictly implemented prevention strategies have been able to safely open for in-person instruction and remain open.
- CDC’s K-12 operational strategy presents a pathway for schools to provide in-person instruction safely through consistent use of prevention strategies, including universal and correct use of masks and physical distancing.
- All schools should implement and layer prevention strategies and should prioritize universal and correct use of masks and physical distancing.
- Testing to identify individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination for teachers and staff provide additional layers of COVID-19 protection in schools
According to the CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky 400 children have died from covid-19 in the United States. This may not seem like a large number to some. However tell that to the parents and families that lost their child. Even though MT has not had a child die in result of covid-19. We are only one of the few states that haven’t and I’m sure our days our numbered. 23 states now have had child deaths related to covid-19. Why is the East Helena School board of trustees testing fate? Masks help and are proven to slow the spread of infection.
Not only did both my kids get covid they also had to quarantine the remainder of the year. So while their classrooms where having field trips, parties and experiencing the last days of school my kids were at home sick in quarantine. I don’t blame the school board for COVID-19. I do however blame the board for removing the mask mandate and increasing the risk of getting covid.
I know I’m not the only one that feels this way. I know parents in the community feel the same way I do and struggle with speaking up. This is your chance! Sign this petition and make your voice be heard.
Masks should be mandatory until a vaccine is available for all school aged children. Then each parents can make a choice to mask or not so mask. Masks work when we are all trying to be a part of the solution not the problem.
Updates
August 10, 2021
I am truly overwhelmed by the messages so many of you have shared about your own children and the fears we all carry. I never imagined this would bring together so many concerned people who just want our schools to be a safer place. This momentum belongs to all of you who are brave enough to speak up.
August 10, 2021
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people have joined this cause. This momentum belongs entirely to you and I never imagined that my family's story would resonate with so many neighbors.
19 Comments
Young children and their parents currently have no choice regarding vaccination. Masks should probably be mandatory for everyone inside the school building, but especially for the under-12s and all adults who interact with them. This is my professional opinion as a kindergarten teacher in the area. I'm praying my district keeps its mask policy this year.
I'm a student at East Helena Public schools and I'm ok with wearing a mask at school. I want to go to school.
I’ve been suffering with Long Haul Covid since last November, resulting in Restrictive and Obstructive lung disease. However, my ultimate priority is our EH kiddos…all of them! Most cannot get vaccinated and it is possible to contract it again even then vaccinated. Why are we risking even one life of a student, staff member or community member? It’s not worth it!
I work for the VA. We have medical experts advising us regarding CIVID. We must wear masks in our office buildings unless we are alone in a room. Many of us g Ave been vaccinated against COVID but for the health and safety of all we wear masks. The Delta variant is noted to be having a severe effect on young children. These are the ones who cannot receive a vaccine. It is you job to protect these children. Reinstate the mask mandate until the vaccine has been approve for all ages. So our kids can be safe. I want every child attending school in East Helena to be healthy and safe. To live and not suffer long lasting health effects from being infected.
Both of my children had Covid in December, and my son was hit quite hard. He ran fevers of 102 and above for 20 consecutive days. It was absolutely terrifying. Multiple tests were run and out pediatrician was in contact with Seattle Children’s Hospital. I do not want to see what covid could do to his little body, or ANY child’s little body. Please, PLEASE - I beg you. Keep masks mandatory until we have the opportunity to have our children vaccinated!!!!!
My son had covid in Nov. He had breathing issues that extended into the summer months. He had no preexisting conditions. He now has an inhaler. You don't know how your body will react to covid-19. Both of my children are too young to receive the vaccine at this time. Please make masks mandatory until they are able to receive the vaccine. We want our children to attend school in person.
It's a no brainer.
Yes. Protect our children
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Young children and their parents currently have no choice regarding vaccination. Masks should probably be mandatory for everyone inside the school building, but especially for the under-12s and all adults who interact with them. This is my professional opinion as a kindergarten teacher in the area. I'm praying my district keeps its mask policy this year.