Fund Schools to Reopen Now and Prepare Them for the Future

Jump to today’s actions:

Call the Senate
Call the House

Background

President Biden wants to open most K-8 schools by April 29, his 100th day in office. He is committed to following the science. And with more contagious mutations out there, we may see nationwide school closings again. The question is not how to reopen schools permanently, but how to prepare schools to handle virus flare-ups safely, possibly for years to come.

Biden’s $170b — $130billion for re-opening K-12 — will help schools handle the pandemic now. The plan is reassuringly detailed:

-reduce class sizes;

-modify spaces for social distancing;

-improve ventilation;

-hire more janitors and carry out mitigation measures;

-provide personal protective equipment;

-have a school nurse for every school;

-have enough buses for social distancing on the bus;

-hire counselors to support transition period for students

-close the digital divide among students;

-provide summer school;

-create and expand community schools; and

-in low-income communities prevent cuts to pre-K program, extend the school day, add counselors and tutors, work with community partners.

These measures are needed whether schools open and close again temporarily. We need to ask our MoCs for this funding now and tell them that we will support more funding in future years.

1. Call the Senate.

Script Oregon Senators

SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753

My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling in full support for Biden’s pandemic plan to re-open schools safely. I consider this funding to be a down payment. I ask [NAME] to support the full $170billion, and to be prepared to pass funding in future as well. I also support full pandemic relief payments with no change to the amount of funds or income levels that qualify. People need help now and I’m counting on [NAME] to make this happen.

SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling in full support for Biden’s pandemic plan to re-open schools safely. I consider this funding to be a down payment. I ask [NAME] to support the full $170billion, and to be prepared to pass funding in future as well. I also support full pandemic relief payments with no change to the amount of funds or income levels that qualify. People need help now and I’m counting on [NAME] to make this happen.

Script for Republican Senators

D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].

I am calling in full support for Biden’s pandemic plan to re-open schools safely. I consider this funding to be a down payment. I ask [NAME] to support the full $170billion, and to be prepared to pass funding in future as well. I also support full pandemic relief payments with no change to the amount of funds or income levels that qualify. People need help now and I’m counting on [NAME] to make this happen.

2. Call the House.

Look up your rep.

Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)

Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling in full support for Biden’s pandemic plan to re-open schools safely. I consider this funding to be a down payment. I ask [NAME] to support the full $170billion, and to be prepared to pass funding in future as well. I also support full pandemic relief payments with no change to the amount of funds or income levels that qualify. People need help now and I’m counting on [NAME] to make this happen.

Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)

Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling in full support for Biden’s pandemic plan to re-open schools safely. I consider this funding to be a down payment. I ask [NAME] to support the full $170billion, and to be prepared to pass funding in future as well. I also support full pandemic relief payments with no change to the amount of funds or income levels that qualify. People need help now and I’m counting on [NAME] to make this happen.

Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)

Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling in full support for Biden’s pandemic plan to re-open schools safely. I consider this funding to be a down payment. I ask [NAME] to support the full $170billion, and to be prepared to pass funding in future as well. I also support full pandemic relief payments with no change to the amount of funds or income levels that qualify. People need help now and I’m counting on [NAME] to make this happen.

Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)

Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling in full support for Biden’s pandemic plan to re-open schools safely. I consider this funding to be a down payment. I ask [NAME] to support the full $170billion, and to be prepared to pass funding in future as well. I also support full pandemic relief payments with no change to the amount of funds or income levels that qualify. People need help now and I’m counting on [NAME] to make this happen.

Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)

Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711

My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].

I am calling in full support for Biden’s pandemic plan to re-open schools safely. I consider this funding to be a down payment. I ask [NAME] to support the full $170billion, and to be prepared to pass funding in future as well. I also support full pandemic relief payments with no change to the amount of funds or income levels that qualify. People need help now and I’m counting on [NAME] to make this happen.

Action 3 - Expand Indivisible Oregon’s reach

Want to help us expand our reach? Send the link to our Daily Actions at www.indivisibleor.org to friends and family with GOP Senators and/or Congress people and ask them to make calls. They can use Rep. Bentz's scripts for their GOP representatives.