Grownups! Back-to-School season is upon us. For some of us, we are easing into our first weeks of school while others have a few weeks under our belts.

Whether you're seasoned with a consistent schedule or still finding your way around school notices, the consistent message we have been hearing from grownups everywhere is that this is a very different year filled with many emotions as we navigate rising numbers in COVID-19 cases, changing class schedules and the never-ending discussions around mask mandates.

This week, we invite you to check out these actions in the hopes that you don't feel alone, are equipped with resources and are reminded that you are not alone as you make your way through this school year.

-- Sili, Kristin, Felicia, Namatie, Tina and the rest of the MomsRising / MamásConPoder Team

Let’s Support Our Public Schools as We Fight COVID-19

While parents across the country are adding masks to their back-to-school supplies list to protect their kids (and others’ kids!) from contracting COVID-19, Republican governors in at least eight states are actually BANNING school districts from requiring masks. This is contrary to public health guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and pediatric hospitals are overflowing with COVID patients.

Add your name in support of the Biden Administration using its authority against governors who are blocking local school officials from preventing the spread of COVID-19 in their schools.

Pandemic Parenting: Back-to-School?

We know that back-to-school has brought with it a different level of anxiety as the COVID-19 numbers surge. We want to know where you're located and how you and your family are being affected as the kids return to school. Any tips you can offer? Any words of encouragement? We are still in this together and hearing from our community, large and small, can help us during difficult times. We have proven that before, let’s keep it going.

Please take a moment to let other parents out there know we are in this together by virtually checking in by putting your dot on our map on this page.

Back-to-School, Stressed and Exhausted

Are the kiddos back in school yet or are you getting ready for the school year to begin? We are hearing from parents about the stress being felt from all of the changes in mask mandates and the process of being back in school as COVID-19 numbers surge.

Here’s a blog post from one parent along with links to resources on what you can do.

We want to hear from YOU about your COVID-19 back-to-school concerns!

There has been a patchwork of different approaches to protect kids during this back-to-school season and a lot of parents aren’t sure whether their school supplies list should include buying extra masks.

• What are your biggest concerns about sending your child back to school?
• How is your child’s school doing with safety measures as school begins (masks, contact tracing, quarantining?
• Do you have paid family leave or sick time to use if your child needs to quarantine or isolate due to potential exposure?
• If you are a teacher or work in a school/child care facility, what are your biggest concerns about how your state is handling back-to-school and return to child care?

We want to hear your concerns about going back-to-school amid COVID-19!

Does your back to school list include Paid Leave?

Families need access to a robust and comprehensive paid family and medical leave program this school year. Let’s help working people and families make the best choices when it comes to their children and their loved ones.

Urge Congress to pass paid leave for all this school year!