Marla Jones, Managing Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

DEKALB COUNTY, Ala. -School systems across the State of Alabama have limited indoor activities involving visitors since the onset of Covid, three years ago. 

 A petition is making its rounds on social media asking that the DeKalb County School System allow parents and guardians to be welcomed back into the schools. 

The petition was created by Bryana Woodfin, of Ider, on Monday, November 28, and has over 250 supporters.

 “This is the most important time in our children's lives. Visitation by parents or family members should be permitted with safety standards still in consideration. Parents want to be involved in their child's educational experience and we can't do that when we aren't allowed to be present in the school for lunches, parties and field trips, etc” stated Bryana Woodfin.

“I have never gotten the chance to eat lunch with my middle son or my daughter as they both started school after the pandemic started. One of my favorite things as a child was when my mom would come to eat lunch with me. I want to give that gift to my children also” posted Hannah Younce on the petition. 

“ Please allow us to be a part of our children's school lives again and make these precious memories with them while they are still little and want us to come to eat lunch” concluded Younce.

Wayne Lyles, Superintendent of the DeKalb County Board of Education stated that allowing parents back into the schools is something that he, along with the board, is striving for. 

“I have received no contact or requests from parents to discuss this topic.  I’m certainly willing and available to discuss concerns with our parents and stakeholders” stated DeKalb County Superintendent Wayne Lyles. 

When asked when parents would be welcomed back into the DeKalb County Schools, Superintendent Lyles said that this would have to be discussed with principals and a plan would have to be developed. 

“I will be discussing this issue with our principals at our scheduled meeting.  I would like their input in developing our plan to welcome visitors on our campuses again, hopefully very soon”. 

“We do plan to allow parents to visit our schools on a more regular basis.  Covid and flu have been a recent concern, but we are starting to feel much better about our situation” stated Superintendent Lyles.  

Hopefully, in the near future, visitors will be able to able to attend their children's and grandchildren’s functions. This is something that the school system and parents both are striving for.