Parents rally at Arizona State Capitol for in-person learning option
Jul 29, 2020, 4:45 AM | Updated: 9:00 am
(Photo courtesy of Becca Clarkson)
(Photo courtesy of Becca Clarkson)
PHOENIX — Parents who want the choice to send their children back to the classroom during the upcoming academic year rallied at the Arizona State Capitol on Tuesday.
“I am of the viewpoint that it’s important to have choices,” Laura Crandell, one of the parents who organized the rally, told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “If there are enough parents, teachers and students that feel comfortable with in-person learning in the classroom, then there should be choices for people to be able to do that.”
Several dozen parents from across the Valley attended the rally. Many of them wore green to represent that they are ready to let their kids back in school despite some health experts warning about the potential spread of the coronavirus in educational settings.
Crandell is a mother of two Mesa Public Schools students. She said her two young children are starting out the school year with online learning, which is required by the school district until it determines its safe to allow students to attend classes in person.
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Crandell said she understands online learning can be beneficial for some families, especially those who have family members who are at high risk for COVID-19.
“But there are families like mine who feel it’s not an appropriate alternative, because it’s just not even close to all the benefits of meeting in person and having that classroom experience,” she said.
She added she’s concerned about the social and emotional costs of not having kids back in the classroom.
In a statement to KTAR News 92.3 FM, the Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics said “virtual learning is not comparable to in-person learning.”
“In-person learning is central not just to education, but to a child’s developmental, behavioral and emotional wellbeing. Sadly, over the past few months we have seen increases in anxiety, depression, and suicidality among our patients.”
The group added that the state’s decisions regarding school openings “should be guided by science, take into consideration community spread of COVID-19, and include financial support for schools.”
Gov. Doug Ducey last week stuck to his plan to allow school districts and charter schools to resume in-person learning on August 17. He also said the Arizona Department of Health Services on August 7 will release health benchmarks to guide school leaders on when it’s safe to reopen.
Crandell said she was glad to see the governor take this step.
“I thought it was a win because a lot of people were pressuring him to set the school start date for October 1st,” she said. “He chose not to do that, which I was very happy about because that would’ve obviously taken away any option of potentially having students meeting in person.”
