Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Parents Plans 'Zoom Out' Strike Over School Closures. Will Local Families Join?
NANCY WEBSITE HEADSHOT 1
By Nancy Price, Multimedia Journalist
Published 5 years ago on
September 25, 2020

Share

Reopen California Schools, a statewide Facebook group that organized rallies earlier this month to protest the continued closures of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic, says parents need to go on strike next week — and keep their kids from logging online for their classes.

The group, created in June and now with more than 6,500 members, has organized a “Zoom Out” to protest distance learning.

“Calling all teachers and students in California to go dark on Monday, Sept. 28th – Oct 2nd. Or better yet, change your screens to green or the Reopen California Schools logo and let them KNOW why your child is not present.

“Don’t login, call in sick, or let the attendance hotline know you are protesting online ‘learning’ by being offline. … Do whatever you need to, but make sure to participate in this distant ‘learning’ blackout protest.”

Event Expanded

According to the group’s Facebook page, the Zoom Out initially was planned as a one-day event.

“At first it was scheduled for September 28th but we were informed that is a Jewish holiday and in addition some school districts will be on fall break. Some parents wanted to blackout for an entire week to send a bigger statement, some parents don’t want to have their kids miss that much school. So the event has been created for September 28th-October 2nd. The main event begins Monday the 28th, do what works for you!”

Annabelle Kennedy, who helped organize Reopen California Schools rally in Clovis, said she and her husband haven’t yet decided whether to participate in the Zoom Out next week. Their children are in the first, third, and fifth grades in Clovis Unified School District.

“My husband and I are still on the fence about participating in the blackout,” she said. “I certainly support others who choose to participate, we just aren’t sure if it’s what we want to do.”

Reopening Plans in Development

The protest comes as infection rates are lowering across the state and are approaching the thresholds the state has set for schools to reopen. Fresno County, one of the state’s hotspots has been making progress, and it it continues county health officials say schools here could begin reopening for in-person instruction starting in mid-October. Meanwhile, districts can apply for waivers from the county health officer to reopen elementary schools.

Clovis Unified trustees voted unanimously on Wednesday to seek such a waiver. Trustees learned at the meeting that when schools do reopen, hybrid schedules will be required so students can maintain a 6-foot distance in classrooms.

Once schools get the green light to reopen, there will be no further blanket closure orders from state or county health departments, although individual classes or schools hit by COVID-19 outbreaks might need to temporarily close.

District officials are aware of the Zoom Out protest scheduled for next week, spokeswoman Kelly Avants said Friday.

“We recognize the challenges our families and teachers are facing in delivering online learning and have already taken steps down the road to a healthy return to campuses,” she said. “It’s our hope that parents would understand that we have already heard the message that such a protest is trying to send, and that efforts are already underway to develop and implement the details of schedules, health and safety protocols, and instructional models to get our students back on campus.

“Until the time students are back on campus we are working to make every day of learning online valuable, build relationships with our families and our students, and encourage participation through purposeful lessons and instruction.”

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Madera County Wildfire Prompts Evacuation Warnings, Road Closures

DON'T MISS

Sanger Police Seek Public’s Help to Find Missing Teen

DON'T MISS

Trump Says Everyone Should Immediately Evacuate Tehran

DON'T MISS

Inside Trump’s Extraordinary Turnaround on Immigration Raids

DON'T MISS

Trump Approval Steady at 42%, Support Weakens for His Immigration Policy, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

DON'T MISS

Person Rescued from Fresno Canal, Third Incident in Recent Days

DON'T MISS

Arias Dodges Questions About His False Fresno ICE Raid Claim

DON'T MISS

Iranian State TV Halts Live Broadcast After Israeli Strike

DON'T MISS

Global Markets Recover on Iran Ceasefire Reports, Central Banks in Focus

DON'T MISS

Madera Man Sentenced to Over 21 Years for Fentanyl, Meth Trafficking

UP NEXT

Gov. Newsom Lambasts Trump for Giving Immigrants’ Health Data to Deportation Officials

UP NEXT

‘We Will Kill You Dead’: Florida Sheriff’s Stark Warning to Demonstrators

UP NEXT

US Marines Carry out First Known Detention of Civilian in Los Angeles, Video Shows

UP NEXT

Youth Invited to Unplug, Connect With Nature at Day Camp in Auberry

UP NEXT

Here’s What to Expect at the Army’s 250th Anniversary Parade on Trump’s Birthday

UP NEXT

Fresno State Matches the Scholarships for 25 FUSD Students

UP NEXT

California Opens Investigation Into State Farm

UP NEXT

California Police Are Illegally Sharing License Plate Data With ICE and Border Patrol

UP NEXT

Trump Can Keep National Guard Deployed to Los Angeles for Now, Appeals Court Rules

UP NEXT

Judge Temporarily Bars Trump From Deploying National Guard Troops in Los Angeles

Nancy Price,
Multimedia Journalist
Nancy Price is a multimedia journalist for GV Wire. A longtime reporter and editor who has worked for newspapers in California, Florida, Alaska, Illinois and Kansas, Nancy joined GV Wire in July 2019. She previously worked as an assistant metro editor for 13 years at The Fresno Bee. Nancy earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Her hobbies include singing with the Fresno Master Chorale and volunteering with Fresno Filmworks. You can reach Nancy at 559-492-4087 or Send an Email

Inside Trump’s Extraordinary Turnaround on Immigration Raids

16 hours ago

Trump Approval Steady at 42%, Support Weakens for His Immigration Policy, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

17 hours ago

Person Rescued from Fresno Canal, Third Incident in Recent Days

17 hours ago

Arias Dodges Questions About His False Fresno ICE Raid Claim

17 hours ago

Iranian State TV Halts Live Broadcast After Israeli Strike

18 hours ago

Global Markets Recover on Iran Ceasefire Reports, Central Banks in Focus

19 hours ago

Madera Man Sentenced to Over 21 Years for Fentanyl, Meth Trafficking

19 hours ago

Touring a Tunnel That Leads Underneath a Hospital in Southern Gaza

19 hours ago

Suspect in Minnesota Lawmaker Killing Visited Other Legislators’ Homes, Prosecutors Say

19 hours ago

Spyware From US-Backed Israeli Firm Targeted European Journalists, Report Finds

19 hours ago

Madera County Wildfire Prompts Evacuation Warnings, Road Closures

A wildfire burning near Raymond Road and Avenue 16 in Madera County has prompted evacuation warnings and road closures, authorities said Mon...

15 hours ago

A wildfire near Raymond Road and Avenue 16 in Madera County has prompted evacuation warnings and road closures as officials urge residents to prepare to leave if threatened on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Madera County SO)
15 hours ago

Madera County Wildfire Prompts Evacuation Warnings, Road Closures

Sanger police are searching for Kaylani Thompson, 17, who went missing Saturday, June 14, 2025, after leaving her home and was last seen getting into a white sedan. (Sanger PD)
15 hours ago

Sanger Police Seek Public’s Help to Find Missing Teen

A view of the cityscape in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran, Iran, June 16, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
15 hours ago

Trump Says Everyone Should Immediately Evacuate Tehran

16 hours ago

Inside Trump’s Extraordinary Turnaround on Immigration Raids

President Donald Trump speaks at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 12, 2025. (Reuters File)
17 hours ago

Trump Approval Steady at 42%, Support Weakens for His Immigration Policy, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

A person was rescued from a Fresno canal Monday, June 16, 2025, near Dakota and Ninth Street, marking the third such incident in recent days, officials said. (Fresno FD)
17 hours ago

Person Rescued from Fresno Canal, Third Incident in Recent Days

17 hours ago

Arias Dodges Questions About His False Fresno ICE Raid Claim

18 hours ago

Iranian State TV Halts Live Broadcast After Israeli Strike

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend