OXFORD, Ohio—Parents across the state have debated all summer if children should go back to school in person or not. In Oxford- the local school district has kept school remote for the time being. But now a group of parents and students is saying enough is enough.
What You Need To Know
- A group of parents in the Talawanda School District in Oxford are asking for the choice to allow their kids to go back to the classroom.
- Parents say their children aren’t getting the proper education as well as social interactions at home.
- The School Board says they realize their decision won’t make every family happy. They will look back into remote versus in person learning at their meeting on Monday night
For students and parents in the Talawanda school district in Oxford, they’re just asking the school board for a choice to go back to school in person.”
As the sun rose in Oxford Wednesday morning, there was already a crowd outside the Talawanda School District building. Parents and students asking for a choice.
“We really want our students to have a choice,” Nicole Garber a mother of two in the Talawanda School District said. “We don’t want to shut down the voices of those who really need to do a virtual learning, that works for them. But we haven’t been given a choice.”
For Suzy Schuster a mom of three in the Talawanda School District she says she has it lucky since she can stay home with her kids. But even that’s not easy.
“There’s so many kids that don’t get the education that they need,” Schuster said. “These are our future leaders. We need them to have the proper education. They’re not getting that right now at home.”
And at home- Schuster shows us just how difficult it may be- kids off task, asking questions and needing to stay organized.
“When it comes to finding homework and things like that, it’s too much,” she said. “They need to be on a uniformed schedule.”
Schuster’s kids, ranging from eighth grade to senior year, miss being in school and their relationships with their teachers and classmates. Schuster says she has a newfound appreciation for teachers.
“That is one of the most important professions there could be,” Schuster said. “And they don’t get enough credit for what they do every day. Being home and trying to be them, I can’t be them. I have patience for days, not for teaching.”
The School Board president released a statement on Monday saying in part: “We know there is disharmony among parents regarding the Board’s decision to put the current remote learning plan in place. We know some families want to go back to traditional school, while other families wish to remain in a remote learning setting. We know we will not be able to please every family. We assure you that we did not come to the decision to institute a remote learning plan without a lot of research and discussion.” The board is set to re-evaluate its plan next Monday at its meeting.
Which is why this group continues to peacefully protest. They want to see their kids given an option to be back in the classroom to benefit not only their education, but also their social and mental well-being.
“I feel like for the most part there is a community of us that are rallying together to do what is best for these kids,” Schuster said.
“This is awesome. But we need everybody to be on the same side.”
