To the Editor:

Remote learning is failing our children. In fact — despite the best efforts of our kids’ great teachers and the entire school community — we believe remote learning is detrimental to our children’s social-emotional wellbeing and overall mental health. We are witnessing the harmful effects worsen each day, and we demand change. The reality of having to constantly support our elementary age children in remote learning while juggling our jobs is also weighing heavily on my husband and me. It’s ineffective and untenable.

We are not alone — in our town and around the world.

Our children and families are at an alarming, heightened risk brought on by the pandemic. One with the potential to have long-term, serious consequences that could even rival the virus itself. There’s a growing body of clinical research showing the pandemic is having a dramatic, negative impact on the mental health of both children and adults. In the United States, two in five residents report struggling with mental or behavioral health issues associated with the pandemic.

Newtown prides itself on being a leader on the mental health front. So let’s demonstrate that leadership by taking action now — by putting our kids back in school. The science supports that is a safe and viable option. Indeed, the school district itself has said there is no evidence of virus spread in schools and Gov Lamont has repeatedly said kids should be in schools.

As such, we’re asking Superintendent Dr Rodrigue and the BOE to put our kids first — by putting them back in school, in person, full time with their teachers and classmates, effective January 4, 2021.

Callie and Gary Jeanfaivre

Flat Swamp Road, Newtown December 11, 2020