September 3, 2020
Dear Mr. Gekopi and Dr. Lussier,
We are the parents of Wellesley Public Schools (“WPS”) elementary school children and children with special education needs. We write in response to the stance of the Wellesley Educators Association (“WEA”) regarding full time remote instruction until certain requests are satisfied, despite the fact that COVID-19 is at all-time low rates in Wellesley and throughout Massachusetts. This letter will address (i) our frustrations with the situation, including the new tentative agreement, (ii) why we need our elementary schools and special needs children to return to school in person, not just in a hybrid model, but full time, and (iii) a plea to the WEA and its members to work with WPS to make this right.
Our Frustrations
We are disappointed with the WEA’s elevation of fear over science at the expense of our children. We understand why the teachers are concerned for their safety and empathize with the desire to keep yourselves and your families healthy. At-risk teachers should be permitted to work remotely, and those reporting in-person need to teach in classrooms that are safe. But our understanding is that all of the WPS buildings, even the oldest buildings, have exceeded DESE standards for a safe return. Rather than focusing on what realistic measures could have been taken earlier this summer to make everyone feel safer returning in person, the WEA instead chose to fall in lockstep with the Massachusetts Teachers Association and other state unions, who have made a concerted effort to exacerbate teachers’ fears and ignore the recommendations of scientists and doctors.
Although the recently announced “tentative” agreement between WPS and WEA plans for the hybrid model to begin on October 1, that agreement remains exceedingly vague and appears to be contingent on the viral testing program, which is expensive and unfunded as of yet, and could face delays in its implementation given that it is a pilot program. The vast majority of other towns in New England that have agreed to return in person do not have a testing program in place. We hope the testing program in Wellesley will succeed, and we are going to make pledges to try to ensure it gets funded. But if it does not succeed, it is not clear if the WEA will ever agree to in-person teaching, absent the total elimination of COVID-19, as it has not
proposed any metrics for when it believes in-person learning will be safe. So here we are, the week when our children were initially supposed to start school, with no idea of when they will be back in the classroom.
Elementary Schools and Special Needs Students Need to Return In Person
Many of us were disappointed when the Reopening Plan proposed a one-size-fits-all hybrid model for all age groups. We were even more disappointed when the hybrid program was delayed. Pursuant to the new tentative agreement, it is our understanding that even if the viral testing plan is put into place, all students will go back in the hybrid model. We believe it is safe for children to go back full time in person now, but especially if the testing plan is implemented.
Neither full remote nor the hybrid model are the right solution for many of us. Children in kindergarten through second or third grade, along with special needs students, are incapable of being educated remotely. Period. Everyone is sweeping this under the rug—from the Reopening Advisory Committee, to the School Committee, to the WPS administration, to the WEA. We believe the teachers will do their best to make remote learning better this fall. But we parents, who witnessed our children struggling last spring, know it will not work. Young children and special needs children do not have the attention span, ability, or motivation to learn remotely and complete asynchronous assignments at home. We are worried that our young children will suffer long-term academic repercussions if in-person school is further delayed.
In both the full remote and hybrid models, children in kindergarten through at least third or fourth grade, and special needs students, will need a parent or tutor sitting next to them for the entire school day, guiding them through the assignments. Parents who work full time are faced with either quitting their jobs or hiring a tutor for seven hours per day. Children whose parents cannot afford a tutor or stay-at-home parent will essentially miss out on an entire year of education. The disparity in achievement gaps along racial and socioeconomic lines that remote learning will exacerbate is heartbreaking. How can it be acceptable to put families in this position, when the rates of COVID-19 are so low in this area? The low risk of spreading
COVID-19 in the classroom in Massachusetts at this time is significantly outweighed by the serious harms caused by remote learning.
WEA, You Hold The Power—Please Help Fix This Situation
When the WEA pushes an agenda on behalf of the teachers that comes at the expense of our children and public school system, something is wrong. Please listen to the scientific data and make decisions based on that, rather than fear. Camps, daycares, and schools in Europe have been operating with no significant outbreaks. Isolated cases of infection are dealt with quickly and successfully before others have become infected. The Wellesley Board of Health believes it is safe for our children and low-risk teachers to go back to school in person full time with these low infection rates. Reputable articles by scientists and doctors, including several recent New England Journal of Medicine articles – one just published this week – have drawn the same conclusion for states like Massachusetts. The science shows that children under 10 are less likely to get sick from the virus and less likely to spread it to adults. Given that this is the age group of children who cannot learn well remotely, and given the low infection rates in Massachusetts currently, the WEA needs to reconsider its position.
While we ideally want children in all grades to return in person, if that is not possible initially, then prioritize bringing back the youngest children in grades K-2 or K-3 and special education students regardless of whether the viral testing plan is implemented. These children need to be in school in person full time. Use space in the newest and safest school buildings for these age groups. Remote learning is detrimental for older children and teenagers as well. If reopening schools for the youngest students is successful and infection rates continue to be low, the older grades can be phased in gradually. This model has already been adopted in a number of communities. And if the testing plan is implemented and is successful, we should be bringing back all students full time, not remaining in the hybrid model all year. But you hold the power, WEA and WPS. We parents do not. Work together and make it happen, because it is the right thing to do. For the sake of our children, the public school system, and our community.
Respectfully,
140 Wellesley Families
cc Wellesley School Committee
Wellesley Town Committee Advisory Board
Wellesley Selectman’s Office
Wellesley Board of Health
Reopening Advisory Committee
WPS Elementary School Principals
WPS Director of Special Education
Governor Baker
Commissioner Riley
Massachusetts Teachers Association
Amen. Count us in as family #141.
Let’s hope someone listens.
Some observations on opening schools in-person.
Understand that a low infection rate is a measure of the likelihood a school will have a covid-19 positive case. However, Wellesley public schools cannot open on the assumption that they will not have a covid positive case. They must assume that they will, and the community needs to reduce transmission risk accordingly. The infection rate is somewhat immaterial in this regard while the pandemic is ongoing. A single spark can start a wildfire.
The school community must reduce the inherent transmission risk of in-person school AND balance the remaining risk of opening schools by tightening up preventive measures elsewhere. Otherwise Wellesley’s infection rate will rise. It’s straight math. For in-school time, this means full compliance on: 100% mask wearing while at school, socially distanced eating, small groups, hand-washing throughout the day, high ventilation, and outdoor time over indoor time. To balance the remaining risk, the school population needs to tighten up measures elsewhere. It means enforcing at all other times: 100% mask wearing, hand-washing and social distancing in public but also with friends and extended family, plus avoiding large groups, indoor gatherings and at-risk individuals. Damp kindling won’t burn.
If an outbreak is detected, contact tracing needs to be able to bring it under control through quarantines immediately, and having a low community infection rate makes this easier. Frequent testing can detect an outbreak sooner. Fewer sparks, good spotters and quick action can put out each fire before it gets out of control.
Can we do all that? If everyone from principle to parent to pre-schooler is totally committed to this lifestyle for the rest of the school year, yes. Otherwise, Wellesley’s cases will rise and the schools will have to be shut back down.
Well said!,
I couldn’t disagree with you more. The sky is not falling. Focus on the death and hospitalization rates not the infection rate. If a child or adult tests positive with a sputum test result, positivity is not confirmed until followed-up with a nasal pharynx test which often results in false positives. (At what stage of testing would quarantining and contact tracing begin? Contact tracing is the new Judas-hole.) Students, immediate family, extended families and friends all have a stake in the response to the previous question asked because tracing and quarantining have long reaching emotional and financial implications on family’s health and well-being. There’s a wildfire to consider. If the nasal pharynx test is negative the child and or adult goes back into the surveillance’ testing pool. Did I mention how uncomfortable and bloody nasal pharynx testing can be? I’ve witnessed countless adults crying from nasal pharynx testing. Will the school administration be able to reimburse families due to the negative consequences associated with false positives? (Children under 15 have a greater chance of being hit by lightning than dying from COVID 19. Chances of dying of COVID 19; 1 in 1.7 m. Chances of being hit by lightning; 1 in 700k.) Prolonged mask wearing introduces health risks to a population that has minuscule health risks associated with the virus. Teacha (and fearful docta) leave them kids alone.
I agree with you, the sky is not falling, but only because of the many people who are holding it up. Be one of them. We could use your help.
COVID Test results : “Negative”
Response: “Wrong, Do it again!”
COVID Test results:
“Negative “
Response: “Wrong, Do it again!”
COVID Test results:
“Negative “
Response: “Wrong, Do it again!”
Leave them kids alone!
I am a parent of two WPS students. Although I did not have the opportunity to sign this letter, I support the stated positions and believe that it reflects the consensus in the community. Given my conversations with many neighbors it is apparent that the majority of parents are frustrated at how the school reopening plans have unfolded. In surveys, overwhelming parents expressed preference to return to the full time or hybrid model. I hope that the School Committee, the Teacher’s Union, and the Superintendent, Dr. Lussier are listening and will act in the best interests of children.
1. We taxpayers pay your (school administrator and teacher) salaries..
2. We want what PARENTS WANT. NOT WHAT YOU WANT.
3. You are paid as employees of the town to LISTEN ( to parents ) and act as directed.
4. Refund our taxpayer $$$ and resign. You have not done your job.
LADY WELLESLEY
142! I also support this this with TWO Autistic boys in the WPS system (2nd grade and K). This is devastating and will have long lasting and permanent affects if they do not get in person support and get back to their routines.
We agree with the 150 especially with the lack of appropriate planning for special needs kids who are unable to function with remote learning as you all should know. As loving grandparents and supporters of all children we adamantly oppose the current decision. Wellesley could and should do better
Hi,
Thanks for putting this together!
Is there a parents mailing list or group?
Also, there are many single parent family households like mine where the primary care giver is stretched thin! Would love to engage further.
Best,
Sri
On September 9th the school committee voted and approved a plan submitted by Wellesley Public Schools and Wellesley High school to proceed with fall sports. The sports season begins September 21. The vote allows for sports to continue even if we stay full remote. This is crazy! We are allowing athletes to meet everyday for practices or games, mix the cohorts everyday, take busses to away games, compete against other towns participating in relative high risk activities! All while WPS is saying their is too much risk too return to school in person, but ok for sports in person? The plan includes a set of restrictions on the sports which are not implementable and change the sport so much it is not worth it. This was rushed; the athletes and their parents are desperate, the school administration and committee are worn out. If you know high school soccer, field hockey and cross country you know this is a huge mistake, high risk very little reward. Simple: no in person classes no competitive sports. There is a reason Babson and Wellesley College (and their leagues) cancelled the soccer, field hockey and cross country seasons, they are high risk sports. The changes at high school level to make them “moderate” are not be implementable everyday day for 11 + teams. There will be social distancing violations and high risk contact everyday ! Also many of the key elements to make “safe” fall on the student. The students have been playing these sports for years and in the span of a week need to dramatically change how they play or they could infect or get infected? In competitive situations like tryouts ? game vs Needham or Natick? You will have problems, if one athlete has the virus it will spread, for what? Why? I get why AD submitted and kids are in favor I love HS sports, but this is irresponsible in our current environment (don’t forget fall potential spike) . Put the resources and focus on getting the K-12 kids back to school. When the kids are back in person, revisit sports. I can’t believe WPS, School committee and WEA approved, I appreciate all they have done and what they are tasked with, but this vote needs a second look.