Three people have put together a letter to the Bainbridge Island School District opposing the start of in-person learning Monday.
They say it’s been signed by 500 others in just 24 hours.
Julie Farley, Tanya Powers and Lisa Mandelkorn say signers include: “concerned teachers, scared moms, children of longtime teachers scared about their parents’ health and desperate community members all asking for a chance to be heard by our school district.”
They say the controversy over starting school has divided the community. They ask that the district listen to the community, continue what is working and look to help those in need. “We need to keep our teachers, students and community safe,” they say.
The letter itself says:
“Dear Dr. Bang-Knudsen and School Board Members,
We, the members of the Bainbridge Island Community, hold you accountable for the failure to create safe learning conditions within our schools. We expect you to create an environment that does the following:
· Provides a safe environment for our teachers to work in and allows them the time to be vaccinated
· Provides in person learning for the struggling students in our community
· Provides continued instruction in the existing format for those who need to stay home
We believe you are ignoring health concerns, cutting corners, and not implementing recommended safety standards in ways that will impact the health of our island. Bainbridge Island has been committed to defeating the virus and united in our desire to stay healthy. The district has created two systems that have divided our community and pitted us against each other. Our children need you to lead by example. Ignoring the issues and not listening to the concerns of your community, especially your teachers, teaches students the wrong lessons, lacks compassion and empathy, and most importantly endangers our physical and mental well-being.
We look forward to working with you in an honest and open way, that is not influenced by financial or political gain, in order to continue to safely educate our children.”
More than 40 people attached comments to the letter. Some of the comments include:
*”As a teacher I am not only concerned for my own health, but also the health of my students and colleagues.” – Keri Schmit
*It is absolutely unethical to send our beloved teachers into the classroom without vaccinations in place to protect them.” – Melinda Barnes
*”Returning at the height of the pandemic, when a vaccine is on the horizon, is reckless and shortsighted.” – Samantha Everett
*”I am absolutely appalled by the lack of transparency and respect the BISD superintendent and school board have shown for the community.” – Sunny Stanley
*”Do not put all of your resources towards in-person learning when there are hundreds of students online who need support.” – Gary Bedell
*”I don’t want to go back to school…I don’t want to get my family sick or anyone else. I have also worked had to try and get a routine down at home and I am finally comfortable.” – Grace Moffat
