The announcement by Supt. Joe Buerkley that schools would reopen on March 1 has spread excitement across the county for the ones we maybe most expected it to--the parents!
While some overall concerns are still apparent with the fact that the virus is far from being eradicated and all-day masking is required, the parents I talked with feel that the return to school is due, if not long overdue.
Parents expressed feelings of a need for normalcy to return to a genuine sense of relief that the teachers--the professionals--will once again be in full charge of the situation, and those feeling run across the board regardless if the parents have elementary or high schoolers at home.
One elementary parent who wished to remain anonymous said, “I am thrilled they will be in a learning environment again that is so desperately needed for my children; however, I don’t know how they will wear masks all day long. I feel that is a little questionable...I know my kids aren’t learning as they should in this setting.”
The mom of a high school senior sees the positives from another viewpoint. “I am thrilled that they are going back five days a week. I feel it can be done safely. Other districts in our area have been going five days a week since January and are doing it safely. It’s time to give all students, but especially the seniors, some sense of normalcy for the last two months of their school careers.”
Another mom of a high schooler and two middle schoolers sees her crew’s need for social interaction that can only be found in a classroom setting. “I’m excited for our kids to get back to school five days a week. My bunch thrives on social interaction and have been suffering from the lack of it. We’re doing our best, but classroom interaction is a necessity for two of my three kids.”
A mom of children at all three levels of learning is in agreement with the other parents. “I am very excited for the kids to go back to school. I think a lot of children have struggled with the virtual learning. I know mine have. I think it will be good for them to be back in a routine and a classroom. I think everyone wants some normalcy back in their lives.
“I’m also happy for the seniors. At least they will get a couple months of their senior year at school with their friends and hopefully have a normal graduation.”
The overwhelming atmosphere is best summed up by Miranda Geers, a mom with three children in the secondary grades. “I know there are a lot of people who are fearful, but if we could manage the A/B schedule, there’s no reason why we couldn’t do all five days. I have faith in our people to get it right.”
Parents react positively to full-time school
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