Let’s Turn Tricks

Building the case

I think it’s time we speak to the manager’s manager.

It seems the shit has hit the fan.
I think it’s time to turn on the turbines and really blow this game wide open.

Have you reached battle fatigue yet? Tired of losing? Feeling hopeless?

Then take a piece of encouragement from one of my cancer heroes, Stuart Scott. He was giving a speech at the ESPYs on the Jimmy V award, inspired by Jim Valvano, another cancer hero. Jimmy V won the Arthur Ashe award for courage while battling cancer. His famous speech gave me strength many times during my treatments. I would listen to both men as I sat in the chemo chair, willing myself to stay the course. Jimmy V’s motto was, “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up”.

In accepting the Jimmy V award, Stuart Scott’s speech inspired me to dig in, fight and show my sons the meaning of true grit. His words still speak to me today: “So, live. Live. Fight like hell. And when you get too tired to fight then lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you. That's also very, very important. I can't do this "don't give up" thing all by myself.”

If you are tired today, then rest. Tag in a teammate. We are a family now. You have an army of support.

And when you are ready to fight again, I have a plan for our next move.

Here’s what I need you to do:

PART ONE:

Build the case. Get the evidence. Here is a list of all the information we need to collect from the Districts. Use your school’s website to locate their OPRA form. Submit individual requests for these items. You can send them by email and request their response be emailed to you, to hopefully avoid a large copying charge.

Reader beware: Schools will be sending your request for their District counsel to review before responding to most items. They may want you to pay for their lawyer to review and redact information. Do not accept the bill or information.

ASK FOR:

1. Full copy of internal policy to review mask exemptions requests per “The Road Forward”, including any guidance provided to or from the Department of Health (state or county) and/or Department of Education (state or county) to date.

2. Full contract between the District/School and reviewing physician or third-party medical professional hired to review mask exemptions, including any written or verbal guidance between District and hired physician on procedures and policies for approval or denial of medical exemption requests. 

3. Biography/CV of physician/third-party entity reviewing student’s records, including any license information and qualifications.

4. Full notes, emails, calls, conclusions, letters exchanged between District and School Physician/Third Party entity relative to any guidance on quarantining masked versus unmasked students, including any guidance provided to or from the Department of Health (state or county) and/or Department of Education (state or county) beginning March 1, 2021 to date.

5. Full notes, emails, calls, conclusions, letters exchanged between District, School Physician, and any released party on your initial exemption request to date.

6. Analysis of number of exemption requests submitted to date, with delineation between those approved versus those denied beginning August 1, 2021 to date.

7. Full list of all vaccinated vs. unvaccinated teachers, staff, contractors and all personnel in contact with the (School Name) facility beginning September 1, 2021 to date.

8. School/District’s insurance company name, agent contact name, policy number, and any bond agency name/contact insuring the District and Board of Education from liability for personal injuries of a student in effect from September 2020 to date.

9. Data that provides proof in which masks benefit the children in our district both physically and medically effective March 1, 2021 to date.

10. Proof/affirmative evidence that masks cause no harm to the students emotionally, mentally, and physically effective March 1, 2021 to date.

11. A tally from the nurse’s log of the number of incidences of mask-related problems for the 2020-2021 school year including but not limited to:

• Headaches, migraines

• Lethargy, fatigue

• Bloody nose

• Skin lesions, rashes, and acne on the face

• Skin breakdown behind the ears

• Poor dentition – increased cavities, mouth sores, abscesses, canker sores

• Reduced ability to concentrate

• Cognitive decline

• Exacerbation of mental health issues, including anxiety and depression

• Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath

• Difficulty learning

• Heat exhaustion, heat-related illness

12. A school study/affirmative evidence that shows the communication between students, teachers, and peers have not been adversely affected by masks effective March 1, 2021 to date.

13. A school study/Affirmative evidence the children with 504’s and IEPs have not declined in learning for the 2020-2021 school year.

PART TWO:

Prepare your records. Each day, if you remember, keep a log of your child’s thoughts, feelings, physical effects, and emotional development from attending school masked, distanced, restricted in movements.

Keep a simple notebook, take pictures of any physical side effects, and email the school of any noticeable issues. Reiterate your opposition to masking in emails to your school superintendent and Board of Education.

We have many irons in the fire. If you are feeling helpless and hopeless, lay down and rest.

But don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.

Good people are working together. We will prevail.

Light a candle for freedom. Help is on the way.