It is time to reopen District 45 and District 88 schools with care and safety. As the district makes decisions, it is important to consider the full spectrum of benefits and risks of both in-person and virtual learning options.  Parents are understandably concerned about the safety of their children at school in the wake of COVID-19.  The best available evidence indicates if children become infected, they are far less likely to suffer severe symptoms.  Death rates among school-aged children are much lower than among adults.  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.  Aside from a child's home, no other setting has more influence on a child's emotional health and well-being than their school.  The in-person school environment  provides superior educational instruction, supports the development of social and emotional skills and creates a safe environment for learning.

I support in person learning in District 45 and District 88 with teachers present in the classroom.