To the Editor:

As parents of four young children, ages 6-11, we write this letter as a plea to the Board of Education to get the children of Newtown back in school as soon as possible. It has been extremely frustrating to watch parents in surrounding towns continue to send their young learners to school while ours sit home and attempt to learn remotely, many falling further and further behind academically, socially, and emotionally.

We continue to receive e-mails from our superintendent and Board Of Education reminding us that schools are safe. This was supported by recent data showing there were, at one time, 471 quarantine cases in the district, yet not one of those quarantine cases resulted in in-school transmissions. (See The Newtown Bee, December 4, 2020, “Schools To Continue ‘Remote’ Through December 23.”) If our schools are safe, why do our children continue to suffer the consequences of being isolated at home and feeling the stress and anxiety associated with remote learning?

All four of our children have excellent teachers rising to the occasion. It is no fault of theirs that the remote learning model continues to be a frustrating and stress-filled experience in our home. It is heartbreaking to watch our children, who were once excited about school, now cry due to the frustration of not being able to find a class link, or get to a certain assignment. Or watching the anxiety heighten on their face as they try to make sure they aren’t late for a class after having to restart the computer due to a technical difficulty. It is equally heartbreaking to watch our children eat lunch and have recess alone every day because their siblings don’t have the same scheduled break. We can not fathom the isolation felt by only children.

It is time to stop putting the mental health of Newtown’s school age children on the back burner. We must weigh the risks, and the current data shows that our schools are safe. Our governor says young kids need to be in school. We think it is time for our administration to start displaying a little more creative thinking like the towns around us. We need to get our young learners back in school.

Kevin and Janet Kuzma

The Boulevard, Newtown December 11, 2020