Reece Gardner: Will schools open this Fall?

There are signs that seem to indicate that a significant number of our K-12 schools will open this Fall.  National Education Secretary Betty DeVos stated this week that she expects schools to be "fully operational" for the upcoming 2020 term. This was a powerful declaration, made even more powerful by President Trump's vow that he will take whatever steps necessary to get this nation's K-12 school system up and running again, noting both the declining Covid-19 death rate and our recovering economy. 

Also this week, Florida's State Education Commissioner announced that all school campuses in that State would be open full time in the Fall. Stacey Lennox of American Patriot news stated that, while most people are supportive of local and state control of education, we should be aware that there is a lot of disinformation about Covid-19, and that state and local governments must be provided accurate data regarding the Virus and our children. Lennox maintains that both the President and Secretary DeVos have science on their side, which maintains that there is no scientific basis for keeping our children out of school.  Secretary DeVos added this, "We are looking at this very seriously, and it is a very serious issue across our country. Children have got to continue learning." 

She then stated, "There must be a concerted effort to address the needs of our children, and we should stop the bickering and turn our attention toward doing what is best for them and their families." It is also noteworthy that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which advocates for school opening, is offering guidelines which could help this effort move forward smoothly. Their colleagues in the United Kingdom's Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health agreed, and 1500 of their members signed a letter stating that continued closures risk "Scarring the life chances of a generation of young people." Other countries opening their schools include, among many others, Germany, Australia, and Sweden, whose primary schools never closed. 

Of course, we all recognize the importance of taking every precaution possible to assure that our children and teachers are safe during this reopening effort, but delay is not an option. 

Now for a little humor:  A mother is waking her son: "Paul, wake up, you have to go to school." 

"Ah, Mom, just a bit more sleep please." 

"No, you're already late, so get up." 

"But I don't want to. The children annoy me and the teachers are a complete pain." 

"Stop it now,  get up and off to school your go." 

"Well, Mom, give me two good reasons why I should go to this tiring school." 

"First of all, Paul, you're 45, and second, you're the Headmaster."

Have a WONDERFUL day!