Everything Debra Saunders said in her Dec. 2 column about how critical schools are to our economy and way of life is beyond debate. My son and daughter-in-law are elementary teachers working online with the remote learning handicap, and the situation is exactly as described. Kids with support at home are advancing, but the kids on their own are falling behind. School curriculum is designed for the traditional “bell curve” with a few at the bottom, most in the middle and a few at the top. That curve is turning upside down with many at the bottom, some in the middle, and many at the top. The effects of this will likely take a generation to undo. So is Saunders right? Absolutely! But then she goes off the rails.
The solution promoted is to just open the schools because they are so important, and that teachers unions and teachers are the reason this is not happening. And they better get with it or else! Well, sorry folks, this “school problem” is just a consequence of our poor response to the pandemic. So just like our health care system, the finger pointers want our schools to magically “fix” the problem without the cooperation of the public, which defies and denies health mandates. And when our schools ask for help, our community denies them. Typical.
Follow health mandates to get this pandemic under control. Get the vaccine when it is available. Put extra effort into being involved with your kids at this critical time. I am a grandparent and have found great joy helping my 4-year-old grandson navigate “pre-school” at home while teacher mom and dad, and third-grade sister are nose deep in their computers.
Finally, when schools are finally able to open, that is not the end of the pandemic problems. Our schools will need your attention and support more than ever. Will you be there, or will the finger pointing to avoid responsibility continue?
Ron Friesen
Marysville
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