Op Ed Editorial

HARLEM COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

In-Person Learning Can’t Be Replaced

ByMonet Elzey and Lude Bonnet, Parents of New York City School Children

It’s been 179 days since New much to gain from being in-perYork City schools closed son with their teachers, peers, due to the pandemic. Some and friends during this critical of those days have felt like time. One of us has a son whose weeks, while others have passed eyes light up when he talks about with the blink of an eye. But as going back to his high school to parents, one thing has remained start his junior year. He can’t constant: our devotion to the wait to be back with his friends health and well-being of our and a step closer towards gradchildren. uation. The memories of when

The shift to remote learning he first began his educational in March was an incredible feat journey are still clear as day. It by teachers, students, and famibreaks my heart to think about lies. Countless hours have been a world in which he spends his poured into keeping our children last moments as a New York City on track over the past six months, student in our apartment every and the resiliency of our commuday, away from his friends, and nities has been a beautiful thing separated from the teachers who to witness. We made it through want him to succeed. some of the toughest days in our Being in school is an experiCity’s history, during the height ence that can’t be replaced. And of a crisis no one could have ever that’s why we are so hopeful we prepared for. can make blended learning work.

Today, we’ve made it It’s a chance to get our children through the worst of that crisis— back to their classrooms, where and we’re uniquely positioned as they learn best with one another. the only major school district in As of now, the majority of the country able to safely send students will begin the school our children back to school in year in a blended learning modthe fall. Our children, their edel, where they will be learning ucation, and their futures can’t in-person in their own school afford to wait. buildings part of the week and

As parents and educators, learning remotely during the rewe know there is no substitute maining days. Our schools play for the experience of being in a such a critical role in our comclassroom. Our children have so munities, and hundreds of thou

sands of New York City parents are ready to safely get their kids back to their classrooms.

Are we nervous? Of course, we’re parents. We lie awake at night thinking about our kids, especially our youngest children. How can we help them understand that they can’t hug their friends? Will they remember to wear their masks all the time? None of it will be easy. Our young ones are dealing with the change, confusion, and even trauma the pandemic has brought into their lives. The social and emotional support of educators, friends, parents, and loved ones is needed more than ever for all developing young minds. We are so grateful for the wrap-around care that is already being planned out in our school communities.

Planning for the school year is never easy, but this fall has required far more preparation than ever. We’ve seen first-hand the work our teachers, principals, and even our Mayor and Chancellor have put in to keep our schools and classrooms safe. A later start to school is allowing educators and families more time to thoroughly prepare for the start of a school year like no other, and mandatory testing will help keep our communities safe and healthy.

We refuse to put our children in harm’s way. One of us has a daughter who was diagnosed with Lupus and making sure she’s healthy has caused many sleepless nights. So, safety is absolutely non-negotiable. Knowing that day-in and day-out, there are teams disinfecting the hallways, spacing out classrooms, ensuring adequate ventilation, and taking every precaution necessary for our children provides a little bit of peace during this turbulent time. Health and safety are leading the way as schools prepare a safe and supportive learning environment for our children, and we know school leaders are doing everything they can to start the school year strong.

As parents, we’re reassured. But above all, we’re hopeful. We believe we can make this work, and that we can give our kids the kind of learning experience they can only get in a classroom. During this unprecedented moment, we want nothing but the best for our children – and we know every New York City parent wants the same for their child. That’s what we owe our young people. Let’s do all we can to make that a successful reality this year.

Vol. 25, No 38 September 17, 2020

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