Georgia

As some parents protest school opening plans, others grapple with thought of in-class learning

By Justin Wilfon, WSB-TV
By Justin Wilfon, WSB-TV

ATLANTA — Parents upset about another semester of virtual learning made their voices heard Friday, while others struggle with having to send their children back into the classroom.

There are a lot of different opinions on whether or not children should be back in the classroom this semester.

Channel 2′s Justin Wilfon spoke with one pediatrician who said the answer is different for every family.

Channel 2 Action News was there Friday when a large crowd of Gwinnett County parents and students protested their school district’s switch to only digital instruction.

Many say they want a choice.

“I feel like there’s enough people who are going to stay home. They should be able to make it work,” parent Heather Todd said.

Todd wants her son Aiden to start second grade in a classroom. He takes special science classes. She said digital learning in the spring made him withdrawn and depressed.

“I just want what he deserves — what all these kids. Our kids need school,” Todd said.

Some of the experts agree with Todd.

“This is not about opening schools versus the economy. This is about the public health of young people,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield told Channel 2 Action News earlier this week.

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He said it’s so much more than math and reading. Some 7.1 million children get their mental health services from school, and so many children rely on school for free breakfast and lunch.

Redfield believes a plan is needed to get children access to these services safely.

“I want to work with the school districts to take the CDC guidelines we’ve put out, translate them into practical solutions and get these schools open,” Redfield said.

Others, like one Fulton County parent, says the decision for virtual learning is welcomed.

“Thank you, Dr. Looney, for going fully remote due to the circumstances of COVID-19,” the parent said, not identifying themselves.

Some districts are leaving it up to parents to decide how their child will learn this semester.

In a Facebook update Friday afternoon, Hall County Superintendent Will Schofield was clear about his priorities.

“I want to serve this community and its boys and girls, but when I lay my head on the pillow every night, the idea of, ‘Is everybody happy?’ that’s way down the list right now. What I want is everybody to be safe right now. I desperately want our young people to reconnect with the schooling and the activities that help them thrive,” Schofield said.

According to the Department of Public Health, 12,503 children under the age of 18 have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

“Children fare better than adults, typically. They usually do not get nearly as sick,” said Dr. Sam Gold, vice chair of pediatrics at Wellstar Medical Group.

For parents faced with making the decision between the classroom or the computer, it can be a difficult choice.

“There is one answer, which is there is no right or wrong. Especially as we learn more and more, it’s important to recognize that each family has unique situation,” Gold said.

He said children with a chronic illness or children living with a family member who does are at a higher risk.

“We all know there are so many benefits to in-school learning, but we still recognize that each family has their own decision to make,” Gold said.

Gold said if your child is going back into the classroom, they need to remember the three W's:

  • Wash your hands.
  • Wear a mask.
  • Watch your distance from others.

Gold told Wilfon that it’s equally important to make sure your child’s mental health is also in check.

He said to keep the conversation about COVID-19 open and be aware of how much time they’re spending online. He also encouraged everyone to get the flu vaccine this year.

Hundreds of parents, students and teacher protest Gwinnett schools? decision for digital learning As the parents and students rallied in front of the administrative offices outside the county?s board of education, Channel 2?s Tony Thomas could see several school officials either come out to watch or peak out office windows.

Cox Media Group

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