Sampling of teachers, families shows the divide over reopening of schools
Hand-in-hand with the issue of distance learning is the question of the circumstances under which schools can reopen for in-person learning. It’s a matter that was taken out of counties’ hands last week when Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered that all schools in a county on the state’s COVID-19 watch list is off the list for 14 days.
Measures to protect the health of students and school district employees and their families understandably are of great interest, and The Bee invited residents to share their thoughts on the subject. Following are some of the responses, in some cases greatly edited for length.
Jennifer Harman, teacher: It’s amazing that we finally have something more concrete. Educators have been scared and waiting. Local guidelines have been vague. I am grateful Newsom has finally stated who needs to wear a mask. It’s unfortunate that younger students are not required to mask up, as well. Thank God teachers need to wear masks! The teachers in younger grades should be required to wear face shields, at a minimum. Schools administrators in Stanislaus County are negotiating with teachers unions on requiring teachers to report to campus during distance learning. Are you kidding me? Stanislaus County is pretty much one of the most dangerous hot spots in the state. They are actually having discussions on having teachers report to school? To gather? This is going to assist in the spread of COVID-19, not mitigate the infection rate.
Karie L. Keener, parent: I am all for (schools reopening) with the right precautions. My kids need time away from me, time away from the house, time with their peers and other adults. Screen time is not a way of learning, and although may work for some kids, it does not work for all, especially mine. Both my students are ADHD attentive. My husband and I both work full time. There is no way that we can work and monitor them getting onto the computer and to class. And sitting for 5-6 hours, if not more, a day, that would drive anyone insane. I get the seriousness of the virus, but these kids are missing the connection between people. 24/7 at home, no school, no sports ... the depression rate will go up, along with suicides.
Alicia (last name not given), teacher: With cases on the rise, it’s just not realistic and safe for schools to open. I teach preschool autism and work with between 10-12 students and have 10-12 adults in the classroom, as well, in a portable and cannot see my students wearing masks or being able to social distance. Distance learning is not ideal and not what I want, but I care about students, staff and their families’ health and safety. Makes me nervous to reopen and if people get exposed and have to quarantine for 14 days, we will be back at square one and lose students and staff and may end up having to close again anyway.
Anya Heidenberg, parent: My twin girls have a long list of challenges that include cancer, global delays, mobility and emotional. They heavily rely on school because it is the only institution that is set up to do many of their services. These kids cannot do distance learning because they are not grade level, not even close! I had to enlist the help of our IEP (individualized education program) advocate from Stanford University, where we go for our medical needs. She was able to help us get 30 minutes of Zoom resource once a week. I’m faced with a dilemma where I work 40 hours or more a week in order to provide for my family, I have two special-needs children whose needs are so high that I will be unable to afford any type of baby sitter or day care. I am now expected to stay home, educate these special-needs children on my own and scaffold the instruction myself.
Joyce Francis, grandparent: I have been in frequent contact with my granddaughters since the schools went to distance learning in March. One was in eighth grade at Great Valley Academy and one was in 11th grade at Beyer. They both excel in their studies and live in a very functional household with lots of support from parents and grandparents. I have witnessed firsthand the impact on their lives. They both have become anxious, somewhat irritable and a bit slow to complete their virtual assignments . The oldest one has suffered extreme anxieties. They both are very eager to go back to school. Statistics show that young people are not susceptible of getting the virus. There is an astronomical negative impact on the health and mental well being of children being away from school. Perhaps the students could be together In the classroom with video monitoring and the teacher could be outside the classroom teaching by monitor. I don’t know the complete answer, other then to say it is crucial to get our children back to school.
MaryBeth West, teacher: I’m glad the governor’s plan codifies return to school based on science and numbers, instead of feelings and public pressures like so many of our local leaders. Many local districts don’t have memorandums of understanding yet, so we can’t relax on what should be our summer vacations because we’re still nervous about ongoing negotiations and what compromises are being made, besides the stress of preparing new curriculum. The majority of teachers I know are happy that the governor’s plan closes in-person school, especially the many teachers in this area who have asthma and/or Valley fever damage. We were worried about our students attending school, too, because so many of them also have asthma. We wish the media headlines would stop calling it “schools are closed” and say instead that “classes are continuing online“ because we know from last spring that teaching online takes a LOT more work than in-person teaching, and many of us worked 14-15 hour days from home last spring.
Randi Linee, music teacher: I teach at about five sites each year, some places once a week, others four days a week. I have always been big on my “personal space” bubble because I don’t want to contract something and give it to hundreds of youth at different sites. My best attempts to distance myself have never been good enough. I still catch viruses from the students every year, and for 20 years I’ve been doing social distancing among children. Am I willing to keep teaching and catch their viruses year after year in order to teach them and help them grow? Yes. Am I willing to teach them and catch a virus that has been proven to kill otherwise healthy people? Not in my classroom. The windows in the entire school don’t open. We only have doorways, and they open on a very small courtyard and playground that is always in use. If made to return to the “in person” classroom, I’ll be teaching them in their home classrooms the rest of the year. Not in the music room, which is too small.
