Dear Mr. Haley:
I’ve not walked a mile in your shoes. I can’t say I understand your job. I grant that you have lots of plates spinning in the air. You’re busy—like your students’ parents—many of whom are struggling to save their business or are unemployed.
Others juggle work and in-home schooling. Our children are struggling scholastically. They’re starved for social interaction.
Daily, my granddaughter is frustrated because she can’t interact with her teachers in a normal fashion. Studies confirm the rising rates of acute adolescent anxiety disorders, increased drug use, and depression.
Last week in Lodi, CA, an eleven-year-old boy fatally shot himself during a Zoom class. What’s next?
Mr. Haley, your academic credentials must be exceptional; your experience qualifies you for your post.
Still, I must give you a below average grade for lack of transparency about opening campuses, and for the dearth of meaningful communication with the families in our community.
In September, a copy of the district’s Safe Reopening Plan was sent to parents. The thirty-seven-page document devotes five pages to the wearing of masks and six pages to distancing—but it contains no hard criteria for reopening. Subsequent announcements also lacked transparency:
• 10/01/20: “Plans have already been implemented that have returned groups of students back to campus and will continue to return more students.” (Which students?)
• 12/04/20: “Our schools remain open and will continue to provide targeted support for small priority groups of students to ensure our most vulnerable students can access in-person teaching and learning.” (Schools are open?)
I know my granddaughter isn’t a member of a priority group, which puts her squarely in the “not special enough” cohort. But there is a plan to introduce some students on EWMS campus one day per week, beginning in January. If that plan goes well, my granddaughter might be able to visit the campus twenty-seven days before the end of the school year. She’s underwhelmed.
You have the authority to reopen during a period of Red Tier status. Since August we’ve had many weeks during which this could have been done.
Is it too much to ask that you establish clear and measurable metrics for reopening? Is it reasonable for parents to be informed as to why you haven’t opened during past Red Tier periods?
Do teachers’ unions stand in the way? Don’t misinterpret my remarks: We love and support our teachers. We love them so much that our district pays the highest salaries in the county.
Within walking distance from EWMS there are four private schools teaching on-campus. These have reported no COVID-19 cases.
And when Costco, Wal-Mart and Target operate safely in the current pandemic, I believe our schools should be open as well.
I don’t speak for all parents. Some may prefer to continue distance learning. But in my view, the reopening of schools is top priority.
As a resident of Solana Beach since 1953; as a former student of Earl Warren Junior High School and San Dieguito High School; as the grandparent of a seventh grader, and as a taxpayer, I call on you to present clear goals for opening schools as soon as possible—then get it done.
Proceed as if our children’s lives depend on it.
LaMar Going
Solana Beach
