A Student Petition To Move to Virtual Learning At HCPSS In COVID Surge Nears 10K Names

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Thousands of people have signed an online petition reportedly created by Howard County Public School System students who are asking school officials to consider virtual learning as COVID-19 cases climb in the county, across the state and nationwide.

Created last week, the petition as of Tuesday morning had received more than 9,100 signatures toward its goal of 10,000. The petition is addressed to HCPSS Superintendent Michael Martirano and the Howard County Board of Education.

“We are HCPSS students, and we’re telling you that it’s time to go virtual until this surge is over,” the petition states.

The district's Digital Education Center, a virtual option, is available only to kindergarten through sixth grade students.

"Students should not be forced to get sick, even when it is 'mild.' And in many cases, it's not. Tell the student who is immunocompromised and gets hospitalized that the effects are mild. Tell the student who spreads COVID-19 to a loved one who passes away that the effects are mild. Tell the student who faces long-term effects of COVID-19, including neurological, organ and vascular damage and fatigue, muscle weakness and memory problems, that it's all mild. It's time to go virtual until this surge is over," the petition reads.

Related: MD Hits Record Hospitalizations As State Tops 12K COVID-19 Deaths

The online petition references Prince George's County Public Schools, which switched to temporary virtual learning Jan. 3-14 and how students in Washington, D.C., had to show proof of a negative COVID test before they could return to class after winter break.

"Dr. Martirano is deflecting by citing guidance from the state education department, while completely ignoring the fact that we have our own authority, the same authority that PGCPS exercised. It's time to go virtual until this surge is over," the petition reads. "Don't let the board of education get away with deferring responsibility to Dr. Martirano either. They have the authority to overturn his decisions and move us to virtual learning, as they did last year. It's time to go virtual until this surge is over."

According to the Baltimore Sun, Tori Yi, 16, a sophomore at Marriotts Ridge High School, was one of the first 100 signers of the petition. She has been sharing it at school and on social media, and wants the school system to move to virtual learning because some students feel unsafe in school.

“We really need to prioritize our students’ health over their education at the moment,” she said. “Going virtual will allow everyone to realistically participate in class and stay on top of things because missing school for a week or two weeks is completely detrimental.”

Read more:

School Updates Prompted By COVID To Be Discussed By School Board

Howard Co. Schools Likely Will Remain Open During COVID-19 Surge