IN PERSON LEARNING FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN
" While Millions Of Students Nation Wide Are Forced To Learn Remotely On Line, Or In Hybrid Classes, Thousand Of Migrant Children Are Afforded In Person Teaching."
Today, with millions of american students attending school via remote or hybrid learning. The San Diego School School District is sending teachers to the convention center. To provide in person learning, for unaccompanied migrant children. As reported, why are 130,000 students of tax paying families still being forced to learn online.
For over a year students have been forced to learn remotely, or in some type of hybrid system. Many parents nation wide fear that their children are falling behind in their learning. These teaching platforms are also causing other issues with children. Today many parents, along with educators are concerned. Today many children are exhibiting mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. Accompanied with a sense of social isolation. Children not only need interaction with teachers, but with their friends and fellow students in developing social skills. Skills that will carry them throughout their lives.
Further, in many of New Jersey's largest and urban districts. They have seen an increase of around 22 percent of students not participating with remote learning, " Ditching ".
Based on New Jersey's ( 2018-2019 ) Public School Fact Sheet, there were 584 operating school districts. This number does not include charter/or renaissance schools. There are 2519 schools in total including charter/renaissance in the state. Numbers show as of February 11, 2021, of the 584 districts there were 491 were Hybrid, 190 fully remote, and 95 fully open, for a total number of 776. Even if you add the 88 charter, and the 3 renaissance schools. The reported number is off by 101 districts. Although as of January 22, 2021 there were 89 private, and another 282 Roman Catholic schools through out the state. Further, after conducting extensive research even with new schools under construction throughout the state, and looking at the definition of Hybrid in every dictionary that was ever published. The number variable continues to be in dispute.
Although New Jersey's Department of Education School Fact Sheet reports a total number of public, charter, and renaissance schools at 2519. Another private information hub reports that the total number of public and private schools within state was 7508. Giving NJDOE the benefit of doubt, this would mean there must be 4989 daycare centers. Within the 565 municipalities incorporated in 21 counties.
We all know that the Covid-19 pandemic has put a catastrophic strain on not only New Jersey's Department of Education, but with other states as well. But there has to be some accountability with our government in reporting.
It has now been over a year since Governor Murphy ordered all schools to close. Parents need to know when their children can return to in person learning. Federal Health Officials along with State Health Officials have determined that schools have a less risk of covid transmission, than community base transmission.
The CDC has set guidelines for school reopening. One of the guidelines was that schools need to have proper ventilation systems for air circulation. There are numerous older schools in the state that need upgrading. Although New Jersey under The Schools Construction Corp. Built many new schools, there were schools that were slated to be upgraded and never were. In 2007 Governor Corzine finally abolished the scandal-plagued Schools Construction Corp. For waste and mismanagement. Now it seems that New Jersey will have to wait for Federal Aid to upgrade schools.
Yes these are important issues that must be dealt with in a rapid time frame. But it now seems that the teacher's union is using CDC Guidelines as a barging chip to receive bonuses and increased pay.
The CDC first stated that there needed to be 6 feet of social distancing between students, now the have lowered the space to 3 feet. You can only wonder when they might change their course on ventilation requirements. At the expense of our children's education while wait.
Having a teenage child myself, that has been out of school for now over a year. I fully understand why parents have begun to file legal actions in court against school districts demanding schools to reopen.
The situation in San Diego with migrant children receiving in person learning, while tax paying family students can not return to school. The San Diego teachers are instructing migrant children with higher covid rates than students stuck in the virtual abyss. Their answer to this is that every child no matter of immigration status has a right to an education. What about our children. Under the 14th amendment of the Constitution every child has a right to an education.
As in California, Governor Murphy placed directives which moved New Jersey as one of 11 sanctuary states throughout the nation. It will be only a matter of time until the Biden Administration will be transporting unaccompanied youth to New Jersey. The question will be will these kids get in person learning before our children. Governor Murphy has assured us that schools will be opened to full in person learning, in the 2021-2022 school year. What about the rest of this school year.
Now with recent increases of covid-19 in the past two weeks. Murphy and the NJDOE will use this to continue school closures. Although he has dumped the responsibility for reopening on each individual school district. He now needs to implement a safe and responsible plan to open schools within the next 30 days.
Enough is enough, Governor Murphy needs to stop worrying about increasing capacities at sporting events, outdoor gatherings, and other things. New Jersey's children are falling behind in learning at a rate of 21 percent in English and around 46 percent Math learning. Instead of spending money on statistics that make absolutely no sense, and reports and portals that give conflicting information. The NJDOE needs to purchase and supply to districts portable air and filtration systems for older schools. The teachers union needs to stop their worrying about air conditioning in older schools, open the windows in your classrooms. If restaurants could adapt to the pandemic restriction at their own expense, why can't our schools. We know that schools have the lowest infection rates of covid-19, throughout the country. Essential businesses including liquor stores were allowed to open during the highest surges of covid-19 in New Jersey.
Again, why can't are schools be opened. What is more essential to the future of not only New Jersey, but to every state. It is the education of our children.
Filed Under: Opinion, Schools, Border Crisis