We are concerned Greenwich residents with children who attend Eagle Hill School. It has been brought to our attention that the Greenwich Public Schools will not provide busing for our children or any child of Greenwich residents who plans to attend Eagle Hill School for the 2019-2020 school year (and possibly beyond).

To say that this decision is disappointing and inequitable would be an understatement. Our children have documented disabilities that impact their ability to learn like typical students. As parents, many of us have chosen to send our children to Eagle Hill School because their disabilities have led to significant academic struggles. Many of our children have failed in typical schools, even with support and programming. We all have had our children tested, sent them to various therapies, hired tutors, sought out the advice of doctors, and knocked on every possible door to simply help our children learn like their typical peers. By the time we enroll our children at Eagle Hill School, we have exhausted all options. Like all parents, we simply want our children to learn, be well adjusted, and become productive members of society.

When most of us made the decision to parentally place our children at Eagle Hill School, we knew, in some cases, that Greenwich Public Schools would not pay for our children’s tuition. We work hard and make the financial sacrifices necessary to send our children to Eagle Hill School anyway. Many of us still plan to eventually send our children to the Greenwich Public Schools. We know that many Eagle Hill alumni have successfully rematriculated back to Greenwich Public Schools. In canceling our children’s transportation to and from Eagle Hill School, the Greenwich School District is inadvertently (and we are sure unintentionally) discriminating against students with documented disabilities.

Greenwich Public Schools and the Greenwich community at large is one that values education for all students, helping those in need, and providing assistance to those who struggle. The evocation of this busing policy, although unintentional, challenges those Greenwich values. And, in doing so, sends a message to present and future generations of Greenwich children that it is okay to not help and/or value persons with disabilities.

We kindly request that Greenwich Public Schools continue to provide busing for children of Greenwich residents to Eagle Hill School, as it has done for years. We thank you for your time and look forward to your prompt response.