As medical professionals and parents of Moorestown students, we are deeply concerned about the misunderstanding and misinformation circulating in our community on safely re-opening our schools – and on the school district’s apparent capitulation to these misgivings. The US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recently took a great step forward when they issued evidence-based guidelines to allow US schools to safely re-open.1 While providing a roadmap to safely returning to in-person education, the guidelines unambiguously rely on methods using the best available evidence to do so – including masking, smaller class size/hybrid learning model, and assurance of appropriate social distancing. The state of New Jersey Department of Health also supports this guidance.2
Unfortunately, some in the community have either misunderstood, or misrepresented, these guidelines to advocate for an in-person solution that would ignore such methods. For unclear reasons, these advocates have demanded that the school district force parents into a “no-win” choice of either full in-person learning that does not assure adequate protections, or full remote options lacking social interaction.
Ironically, while many of these advocates claim to be proponents of “parental choice” on a number of issues, in forcing these two extreme options they have taken away choice for parents who wish to have their children in a live interactive classroom – but with appropriate safety measures in place. Even more distressingly, the school district has bought into this false dichotomy, by presenting no option for in-person learning that also adheres to CDC guidelines. This decision forces individual families and teachers to make a terrible choice – deny their children much needed social interaction or place themselves and vulnerable family members at higher risk.
Furthermore, the two extreme options amplify the inequity that exists in our community. Well-to-do families who wish to adhere to evidence-based guidelines will have the luxury to place their children into private school (and are likely to do so), while families struggling to balance work and education, for whom full remote is not a realistic option, will essentially be forced to sign a waiver that puts their child into the CDC’s “highest risk” category by not allowing for appropriate social distancing.
Up to this point, the school district has taken admirable measures to listen to all points of view, while making safe choices in the best interest of our children. For the safety of our children, our teachers, our families and our community, it is imperative that the school district continues to adhere to the best science and safety guidelines when preparing in-person learning options.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
February 24, 2021
35 Comments
Until all teachers are fully vaccinated, the full in-person school day can not be an option. Our teachers continually work diligently and creatively to enable their students to learn in a less optimal environment. But let us not forget the 500,000 human lives that have be lost to this pandemic.
I am appalled that this might even be a consideration at this point and though sad my son will face the possibility of his first year of school being remote I would prefer knowing that the school is following the available guidelines rather listening to those who are simply loudest. I teach him better than that and expect the schools to as well.
I planned to send my daughter into kindergarten in person next year. Having kept her home this year, I thought it best for emotional and learning needs to be in person. I am deeply concerned that there’s a consideration to not socially distance. I’m forced between hurting my daughter by keeping her remote another year or put my family at risk. I don’t think we should have to choose between that when it’s already a tough choice to begin with.
Plexi glass does not reduce airborne transmission and is a waste of money. Proper masking, social distancing and adequate ventilation should be the only considerations about safety. This whole thing is hard on everyone, especially our youngest students. The constantly changing schedule has made it harder for teachers and students.
This either/or survey was a discredit to the educated people who were required to fill it out. What response did they expect exactly? The fact that we have to sign a petition that highlights the CDC recommendations about health guidelines confirms the administrations pathetic attempt to keep our child and teachers health and safety as their priority. Not to mention, let’s just change our children’s routine to meet the desires of the few, but loudest people in our community.
I would like to see the school open safely and all teachers and students get tested for covid 19 on a regular bases!
Follow CDC guidelines please!
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As medical professionals and parents of Moorestown students, we are deeply concerned about the misunderstanding and misinformation circulating in our community on safely re-opening our schools – and on the school district’s apparent capitulation to these misgivings. The US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recently took a great step forward when they issued evidence-based guidelines to allow US schools to safely re-open.1 While providing a roadmap to safely returning to in-person education, the guidelines unambiguously rely on methods using the best available evidence to do so – including masking, smaller class size/hybrid learning model, and assurance of appropriate social distancing. The state of New Jersey Department of Health also supports this guidance.2
Unfortunately, some in the community have either misunderstood, or misrepresented, these guidelines to advocate for an in-person solution that would ignore such methods. For unclear reasons, these advocates have demanded that the school district force parents into a “no-win” choice of either full in-person learning that does not assure adequate protections, or full remote options lacking social interaction.
Ironically, while many of these advocates claim to be proponents of “parental choice” on a number of issues, in forcing these two extreme options they have taken away choice for parents who wish to have their children in a live interactive classroom – but with appropriate safety measures in place. Even more distressingly, the school district has bought into this false dichotomy, by presenting no option for in-person learning that also adheres to CDC guidelines. This decision forces individual families and teachers to make a terrible choice – deny their children much needed social interaction or place themselves and vulnerable family members at higher risk.
Furthermore, the two extreme options amplify the inequity that exists in our community. Well-to-do families who wish to adhere to evidence-based guidelines will have the luxury to place their children into private school (and are likely to do so), while families struggling to balance work and education, for whom full remote is not a realistic option, will essentially be forced to sign a waiver that puts their child into the CDC’s “highest risk” category by not allowing for appropriate social distancing.
Up to this point, the school district has taken admirable measures to listen to all points of view, while making safe choices in the best interest of our children. For the safety of our children, our teachers, our families and our community, it is imperative that the school district continues to adhere to the best science and safety guidelines when preparing in-person learning options.
Updates
Reached 100 supporters
February 24, 2021
35 Comments
The most important part of a school administrator's job is to balance the wishes of parents with the federal and state regulations and standards. In this instance please do not allow a vocal group to bully you into taking actions that do not meet the standards to keep our students and staff safe from infection.
Until all teachers are fully vaccinated, the full in-person school day can not be an option. Our teachers continually work diligently and creatively to enable their students to learn in a less optimal environment. But let us not forget the 500,000 human lives that have be lost to this pandemic.
I am appalled that this might even be a consideration at this point and though sad my son will face the possibility of his first year of school being remote I would prefer knowing that the school is following the available guidelines rather listening to those who are simply loudest. I teach him better than that and expect the schools to as well.
I planned to send my daughter into kindergarten in person next year. Having kept her home this year, I thought it best for emotional and learning needs to be in person. I am deeply concerned that there’s a consideration to not socially distance. I’m forced between hurting my daughter by keeping her remote another year or put my family at risk. I don’t think we should have to choose between that when it’s already a tough choice to begin with.
Plexi glass does not reduce airborne transmission and is a waste of money. Proper masking, social distancing and adequate ventilation should be the only considerations about safety. This whole thing is hard on everyone, especially our youngest students. The constantly changing schedule has made it harder for teachers and students.
This either/or survey was a discredit to the educated people who were required to fill it out. What response did they expect exactly? The fact that we have to sign a petition that highlights the CDC recommendations about health guidelines confirms the administrations pathetic attempt to keep our child and teachers health and safety as their priority. Not to mention, let’s just change our children’s routine to meet the desires of the few, but loudest people in our community.
I would like to see the school open safely and all teachers and students get tested for covid 19 on a regular bases!
Follow CDC guidelines please!
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The most important part of a school administrator's job is to balance the wishes of parents with the federal and state regulations and standards. In this instance please do not allow a vocal group to bully you into taking actions that do not meet the standards to keep our students and staff safe from infection.