Is It the Right Time to Return to School?

Each ticking moment that students and educators spend at school increases their health and safety risks. Just “watch” how alarming it will be.

The start of the school year is typically very exciting for everyone.

For students, it represents the transition to a higher level of maturity. For teachers and other school personnel, it represents an opportunity to use education to unlock the potential of students and release their learning potential. For parents and grandparents, it marks a major milestone in their child’s overall development.

Walking into a school at the start of the new school year is always exhilarating because everything is new. Students wear new sneakers and make fashion statements as they also wear their new clothes. Teachers distribute new pencils and other supplies to students who proudly receive them. The school walls are beautifully painted and floors are freshly waxed. Desks and tables are newly cleaned. Family members memorialize the occasion by capturing the exciting morning on photographs and videos. Excitement fills every part of the school and happily spills into classrooms that are energized by giggles, hugs, and smiles as friends reunite with friends.

A Typical Welcome

Students at every grade level receive such a warm welcome on their first day of school. Teachers have been known to hold unique events when they enter their building for the first time at the start of their new year. Some children have been known to walk on a red carpet as they are greeted with cheers and fanfare by school personnel. Other students have been serenaded by principals and other faculty members as they enter the school doors. Colorful banners and posters filled with encouraging words and pictures line the walls of the hall. Parents leave special cards and messages in their child’s lunch bags and backpack pockets. Teachers also place friendly notes on the desks of their new students. There is just so much happiness on the first day of school. Year after year, memories are created for students on this wonderful day.

Unfortunately, apprehension, fear, anger, worry, uneasiness, suspicion, and anxiety are among the parade emotions that consume educators and family members who are preparing their children for their first day of school these days. Many students of all ages are uneasy, too.

This First Day of School

For many students, sunshine will not be able to dance on their faces as they rush to enter their school on the first day of the upcoming new year. Facial masks will prevent this from happening. Long lost school friends who have been separated far too long will not be able to exchange hugs because they must distance themselves from the friendship that keeps them connected. Teachers will not be able to extend the helping hand to their students because they must sanitize the support off their hands that only they can give. Some students will not be able share their adventurous stories about their fun summer activities because sadness, sickness, and grief consumed their days. The tears of happiness that parents typically shed will become shrouded in concern for their child’s safety on this day.

My Backstory

My thoughts about students and the educators who serve them led me here. My desire to give voice to the health and safety concerns that teachers and other school employees share with parents is the reason why I have written so many articles about in-person schools reopening.

To me, it is too dangerous to expose everyone to the risks associated with returning to their physical schools. The following articles reflects my sincere thoughts about this.

My greatest concern, which is shared by many, many others, is that the health, safety, and well-being of students and school workers as well as their parents will be compromised by the premature reopening of schools.

My Conclusion

It is just too dangerous for in-person schools to reopen right now. The time is not right.

Here’s my golden ticket that helps me accomplish my mission.

Dr. Deborah M. Vereen is a retired Teacher and School Administrator. Her website is www.Drdeborahmvereen.com and her YouTube Channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS1DPhBeA29UlybU9jzDkdQ.

Want to learn more about special educational needs and these issues, join our newsletter