We are writing to express the views of our group of concerned parents in response to the 3/16/2021 BGCS board meeting.
Perhaps to the surprise of some, we are not completely against five-day in-person school. Instead our expectation is that in-person education is provided in a manner which is as safe as possible and has remote accommodations, given the pandemic. Students who do not feel or are not safe (perhaps because of certain conditions or family with conditions), need continuous access to their current academics. NOVA does not achieve this for all students because some classes (e.g. AP) are not offered via NOVA. Additionally, for the lower grades, NOVA requires more parental support than many working parents can provide. Many families chose CLICK TO BRICK, not because they felt comfortable sending their kids into schools during a pandemic, but because no other reasonable option was presented. Moreover, they expected that if students returned to class, there would be sufficient safety precautions in place, or the pandemic would be over. Moreover, many families wanted an option that allowed them to learn, in real time, from BGCS teachers and interact with classmates. The CLICK version of instruction provided this and was impressive given the circumstances of the pandemic. We recognize that many students struggled with this model, but many other students thrived in this remote format.
As illustrated by the anonymous student comments read at the board meeting, some BGCS students already feel unsafe, given the current inconsistent enforcement of safety guidelines under the hybrid model. Moreover, in a school setting, one student’s risky behavior exposes other nearby students, which impinges on their safety. It’s true that there have been significant mental health challenges for students who have been at home. But, placing individuals in an educational environment where they feel wholly unsafe for themselves and their families, also has a significant mental health impact. Having to choose between your personal safety or your education is a mental health issue, which has not been widely acknowledged.
The petition that was started by a BGCS student, signed by over 300 people, shows that many students have safety concerns and want a remote option. If BGCS can provide accommodations for remote classes, which students have already started during this time of pandemic, and can safely bring others back into the schools 5 days a week, both groups could be satisfied. This would be a win-win for students and parents.
Until basic safety measures (e.g. ventilation, distancing) can be achieved for the entire BGCS district, a reasonable alternative of a remote access to the classrooms should be offered. This request should not be dismissed. Logistically difficult accommodations were provided for at-risk students during the previous remote instruction period. Similar accommodation efforts should be provided for those in need of remote access now. As a parent so aptly put it, these kids simply want the ability to be “a fly on the wall.” We live in a town with a wealth of resources and highly trained experts, across a multitude of fields, who are willing to help problem-solve.
In summary, we are advocating for a safe school environment and a remote option for those who would like to continue in that format, allowing educational access for all students.
Claire Silverman, Jason Whitfield, Kevin and Noel McCluney, Polly Miller, Jason Wells-Jensen, Kirsty and Aaron Sayer, Stacy Heilman, Karolina Jursikova
