On March 12th my kids left school and just didn’t go back. For the last four weeks we have navigated doing school at home and have filled our days with activities so the gravity of this situation didn’t complete infiltrate our minds. I’ve navigated learning the online tools you provided, figured out Zoom, and I’ve even mastered a science experiment or two. You have done a lot for us and for that I am grateful, but I want to ask you for one thing more: We want one more day.
This week I read an article that said the superintendents asked the governor to close school for the remainder of the year. Logically I understand why and know that the safety of our communities need to be the utmost priority. It may seem silly to you to go back to school for just a few weeks in light of everything that has been happening. I want to tell you what I am seeing and hearing at my house, though. My kids are sad. When they get on a Zoom call and see their teacher, their entire face lights up. They miss school. They miss seeing their friends, eating in the cafeteria and PE. They weren’t prepared for this. They ask me about things I’ve never even thought of as an adult. What will happens to their supplies? what happened to the art on the walls of their classroom? and the biggest one, will they miss water day? As adults these things may not seem like a priority, but to our kids they are everything. They ask me often if they will ever see the nurse or MHP again. They are trying to absorb all of this and listen to me when I tell them how important staying home is, but they don’t fully get it. They feel abandoned. Keeping in mind that safety is our biggest priority, I understand if the school year ends at March 12 and we will deal with that accordingly, but as a parent, I’m asking you, if there is a possibility for one more week or just one more day we would take it. Our kids deserve closure to a really difficult situation for their own mental health.
