Taking a “Gap Year” in K-12 Education
Part #2
Are we creating a lost generation?
There are many good reasons to open schools with face-to-face classes. There are just as many reasons not to. There still remains too many unresolved questions. None are good choices. Each present their own unique problems.
I wake up every morning wondering what has happened overnight that that effected our nation, it’s educators and it children. With the Covid-19 virus, the huge unemployment and the uncertainty of school closures.
I cannot imagine how this is affecting our children’s lives and the lives of their parents.
I cannot imagine what is going through the minds of our youngest children who have not yet entered kindergarten or the uncertainty of those who are supposed to be going into 1st, 2nd or 3rd grade who miss not seeing the friends they made the previous year. I cannot imagine the anxiety, stress and trauma of middle and high school students not knowing what their future looks like.
I can only imagine the uncertainty of educators who are concerned about their future. Will they contract the disease? Will they get laid off? Will there be enough sanitizing liquid, face masks and other protective material? Will they get push back from students who refuse to wear a mask for 6 hours? How will they deal with it? What support will they get from their administrators?
I am concerned about school supervisors and administrators having to worry about the funding and shrinking state and local budgets.
This is one of a series of several articles. The next one will be posted on Tuesday, October 20th. See previous articles on www.schargel.com.