Parents are scrambling right now trying to decide what their future looks like. Many do not have the resources (financially & otherwise) to stay at home with their children. We are not teachers and our children are going to suffer from this horrible decision! Schools all around us are allowing in-person learning & the CDC says the following:

At the same time, the harms attributed to closed schools on the social, emotional, and behavioral health, economic well-being, and academic achievement of children, in both the short- and long-term, are well-known and significant.  Further, the lack of in-person educational options disproportionately harms low-income and minority children and those living with disabilities.  These students are far less likely to have access to private instruction and care and far more likely to rely on key school-supported resources like food programs, special education services, counseling, and after-school programs to meet basic developmental needs.[4]

Aside from a child’s home, no other setting has more influence on a child’s health and well-being than their school.  The in-person school environment does the following:

- provides educational instruction;
- supports the development of social and emotional skills;
- creates a safe environment for learning;
- addresses nutritional needs; and
- facilitates physical activity.

Virtual learning should be an option to those who do not wish to send their child to school & in-person learning should be the standard! The survey that was sent to parents was obviously completely disregarded and had no bearing in this decision! It was a dog and pony show to allow parents to input their desires however, KUSD had no intent on using this information. We need in-person learning for our students. Tell the teachers to wear a mask like all other essential employees have been doing for the past several months and let’s get back to school!