rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/petition/tell-dr-shotwell-we-need-more-nurses-and-ppe?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-petition-area-tell-dr-shotwell-we-need-more-nurses-and-ppe' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> North Carolina Association of Educators https://actionnetwork.org/groups/north-carolina-association-of-educators https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg Subject: Body: Friend, This is urgent. On top of record staff shortages, we are now dealing with intense staff and student illness due to the Omicron variant of Covid 19. Even those who are vaccinated are getting sick. When we put in place layered mitigation strategies—consistent testing, vaccinations, proper ventilation, cleaning, hand washing, and masking—we know we can stem the tide of infections. With all these mitigation strategies in place—we can’t pick and choose—we can reduce exposures, reduce infections, and keep students learning in person. Without them, learning is disrupted as people get sick or need to quarantine after exposure, or as staff shortages push classrooms or entire schools to temporarily turn to remote learning. For too long, these mitigation strategies, including rigorous testing programs—were too costly, especially for already under-resourced districts. While the Rockingham County Board of Education voted to keep masks optional, just this week the Governor and NC DHHS announced it would be making N95's, Covid tests, and even funding for additional nursing available to school districts -- all they have to do is ask! Please sign your name to this letter to ask Superintendent Dr. Rodney Shotwell to do the urgent and right thing, and fill out the necessary forms to request these resources -- AND to also provide staff with a clear plan on how these resources will be distributed. In solidarity, Rockingham County Association of Educators https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tell-dr-shotwell-we-need-more-nurses-and-ppe