HomeMy WebLinkAbout03212021_David_Reopen SchoolsFrom:Sarah Davis
To:jtaylor@ptschools.org; cwelch@ptschools.org; jjwilson@ptschools.org; dross@ptschools.org;nohara@ptschools.org; Lisa Condran; Board of Health; sgessner@ptschools.org; tcampbell@ptschools.org;cehrhardt@ptschools.org
Subject:A Voice to Reopen Schools
Date:Sunday, March 21, 2021 9:51:19 AM
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First, let me take a moment to Thank you for the efforts and hard work you all have done inthis past year. The decisions at any given point have been difficult. We as parents can allacknowledge and understand the stress of covid. This has been an unprecedented event. I amgrateful the school has been able to develop decisions last fall to make blended learningpossible.
Again, tough decisions with complex planning are required of you all. Please know Iunderstand it requires the Union, State, County and Leaders as Principals, School Board andSuperintendent to pull together and plan for the future of all our children's education andmental health.
Now, let me say I have concerns for fall. As we all know Inslee has stated as of April 5th allWashington state schools need to be offering some form of in-person learning. I understandwe are already there. So, now please, please start planning for Fall. Let's face it, many of usparents would prefer sooner than fall. There is no reason our Elementary, Middle and HighSchool in Jefferson County should not be back in school full time. This is essential!
I find it inexcusable we can open restaurants 50%, bars 50%, or you can go to a Casino nexttown over. We are beginning to buzz with tourists again.
Yet our children are not as much of a priority to get back in the classroom full time? PortTownsend has always loved to voice how progressive they are. Let's see you all be thatprogressive in an unprecedented time. Our community rates have stayed low; low enough wecan open school 100%. Yes, I acknowledge the social distance issue. However, I am sureyou are all well aware that the WHO, and now the CDC, has stated a 3 ft distance guideline for spacing school aged children. We as a community should be able to figure out a plan forutilizing other facilities to accommodate all students attending class full time. The long termimpact from a generation of children missing school is to great to not take seriously. We as acommunity need to pull together for the future of our children.
There is so much data proving how important school is for all ages. Not just for educational
purposes. Jumping Mouse is overwhelmed with calls daily in our community. Since Marchof 2020 to February of 2021 Mary Bridges Children's hospital has reported a 67% increase inmental health admissions. Of that 60% are between the ages of 14 to 18. 40% is less then 14yrs. of age. Depression and anxiety is now the most common diagnosis for patients under theage of 27.
We need to do better! We are setting generations of our youth up to come with ever lastingdamage. Please hear us as parents and deeply devoted community members asking all of youto go above and beyond as Leaders and open school for the greater good. You have to knowthis past year has been tough on all of us. But I can only imagine the hell some of our youthhave had to experience in these past month when school is their safe place.
Thank you for your time. Please know I deeply appreciate your efforts. I hope you don't letour youth down.
Thank you,
Sarah Davis
Mother of Kindergartener and 2nd Grader.