'Open Our Schools' Rallies Planned In Hatboro-Horsham

HORSHAM, PA — A series of rallies calling for in-person schooling to resume in the Hatboro-Horsham School District are set to begin on Thursday.

Thursday's rally is planned for 5-7 p.m. in front of Hatboro-Horsham High School. As of Thursdsay afternoon, 76 people had said they were interested in a Facebook page for the event.

Organizer Clarice Schillinger said it would be the first of six rallies at schools in the district.

"We have children that are home alone with no supervision because their parents have to work, we have children that are being abused — the ones that look at school as a safe havens, we have children that are in front of screens for over seven hours a day and so much more," Schillinger said in an email to Patch.

Schillinger said the rally would take place on sidewalks outside the school and there will be "no tolerance for unethical or violent behavior." Participants are encouraged to make signs to show support for children returning to in-person schooling.

Hatboro-Horsham schools began the 2020-21 school year via virtual learning on Sept. 8. They are scheduled to remain virtual through the end of the first semester on Nov. 11.

A spokesperson for the school district did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment for this story.

Other rallies are planned for Keith Valley Middle School (Sept. 24), Simmons Elementary (Oct. 1), Hallowell Elementary (Oct. 8), Blair Mill Elementary (Oct. 15) and Crooked Billet Elementary (Oct. 22).