General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Why are we so "dead-set" on re-opening all the schools? [View all]Dorian Gray
(13,479 posts)that private schools are achieving these things, and wealthy kids are going to school, will continue to go to school, and will not suffer the same way that kids from lower income families will suffer.
Children from families who do not have the means to make a successful year out of remote deserve the same resources our wealthiest families deserve. They deserve people advocating for them to get the safety measures that wealthier kids are receiving. And they deserve to learn in person.
NYC public schools attempted and succeeded at a safe year last year. It'll be different and we need to be flexible, but we owe it to kids to try to make this work, because going on a third year of interrupted education is not a realistic option for our learners.
You're an extraordinarily empathetic person and obviously want people to be safe. So do I. Vaccine mandates in the public schools (all staff in NYC must be vaccinated) is the start of that. Mask mandates too. And proper ventilation.
I know a lot of other regions are not doing what is right by their school children and communities, and it breaks my heart. If I lived in Alabama in a mask optional school, I probably would not send my child to school (even if vaccinated) because of the dangers. But I also feel like a one size answer doesn't work across the country, and there are places in the Northeast, especially, where schools being opened isn't as dangerous.
These threads always trigger me because we've been working really hard to make sure the schools we work at are up to snuff and will be as safe as possible for our children and staff. And I know too many kids who have suffered from not being in person last year, even though here in NYC they were given a choice. And I know how difficult it is for children and families to not have the option of a safe in person school day.