Taking on the School

 

My son's school, Syracuse High School, sent out an email yesterday making sure we are all aware that they are continuing their awful masking policy, despite the state lifting their (illegal) mandate for adults.

Here's what they wrote:

Subject: Mask Mandate Update

Hello parents,

We want to thank you for assisting us in successfully and safely opening and keeping our school open this school year. In some parts of the country, schools are just opening now. In Davis School District, schools opened in the fall, and that occurred because of your cooperation.

Even before schools opened, the district, last July, established a “Davis Learns Together” Plan in which it outlined an operational protocol that it has continued to follow. That protocol is “The Big Five” — involving practicing hygiene etiquette, staying home when sick, wearing face coverings, physical distancing when possible, and cleaning and disinfecting.

During the many months that have passed, the district has continued to follow the expertise and guidance provided by the State of Utah, Utah Department of Health and the Davis County Health Department. It has also adhered to State Public Health Orders (SPHO), including SPHO 2021-2 which involved an updated School Face Mask Order.

That order, effective Jan. 21, 2021, stated “Each individual on school property or on a school bus shall wear a face mask … ,” except under circumstances when someone has received a face mask exception. That order remains in effect through June 15, 2021. SPHO 2021-2 is not affected by HB 294, which goes into effect on April 10.

In accordance with the above-referenced health order, our school will continue to operate as it has since the fall. If a student isn’t wearing a mask and does not have a face mask exception, he or she will not be able to remain at school.

The adherence students have shown to the face mask protocol has been great, and we appreciate everything you’ve done to continue to support us.

We know our school will continue to be a healthy and safe place, and, as we continue to work together, we will be able to end the school year as successfully as we started it.

Sincerely,
Jed Johansen
Principal

And here's what I wrote back, to the principal and his three assistant principals:

Subject: the continued mask requirement is UNACCEPTABLE

Hello Principal Johansen & additional administrators copied on this email,

As a parent of a Syracuse High School student, I am writing to express my complete dissatisfaction with your choice to continue forcing the children to wear masks.

I've done my medical and legal research. I understand the science, and I know the law. This is unacceptable. My son will be among many on Monday in Utah who come to school and show their beautiful faces as part of the SeeMySmile protest organized by the concerned citizens of this state. It is important that our children learn how to stand up for their rights against terrible, unscientific, tyrannical, unconstitutional decisions from people to whom we've delegated authority and given our trust, and who have violated that sacred duty to protect the children.

I hope you see a sea of yellow shirts on Monday. But even if you don't, you have an obligation to every single student — even if it's just my son — to do the right thing instead of letting fear drive your decisions. My son will be standing up for what's right. You could learn a lot from him.

With great indignation,
—Michael D. Britton

Maybe I shouldn't write and send emails when I'm angry, but then maybe they shouldn't send out such bullcrap emails. I mean, if it were my job to take care of 2,286 students, I'd darn well be doing my homework and learning the truth about these policies, rather than just rubber-stamping the health department's awful decisions. 

So, today we attended the SeeMySmile rally outside the Davis School District offices in Farmington (photo above). It was a great event, and good to once again see some of the good, normal, freedom-loving, constitution-defending, America-supporting folks I met recently at another meeting of these like-minded concerned citizen activists.

I'm proud of my son for being willing to take a stand on Monday, even though he will be in the minority and will suffer consequences (being sent home). It's these brave kids who can't be steamrolled by "authority" who will one day lead the charge in defending us against communism. I hope they cause a major disruption at schools across the state, so these weak administrators will wake up and stop living in fear and ignorance at the expense of our kids' well-being.

_______________________________________________

[UPDATE:] The day after my email, I wrote another, apologizing for my tone, but not for my stance. I felt bad about being so contentious. Yes, their email was infuriating, but I prefer to take a higher road.

Anyway...on Monday, my boy went to school with his yellow SeeMySmile shirt and button, and no mask. I got a call from Principal Johansen. He said, "Guess who is the only student at school today without a mask?" He was very conciliatory. He took no offense at my emails. He said he actually agreed, and wished we could ditch the masks right now, but his hands were tied. He let me know he was going to have to send Seth home.

So, my boy was the ONLY one out of 2,286 students at the school who stood up for freedom that day. On one hand, it's disappointing. On the other hand, I never thought I'd be proud to have my son sent home by the principal for defying the rules — but the world is upside down, and this kid's a rock star.