To the Editor:

I am writing in response to the most recent Board of Education meeting, where the Board unanimously decided to allow for mask choice, and the allegations that one writer made about my support, via clapping, for the four children who spoke about masks. Of the children who spoke, three of them spoke in favor of mask choice, and one in favor of keeping the mandate, and yes, I clapped for all of them — not just the three who were in favor of removing the mandate.

It is great to see our children engaged, and brave enough to come to meetings and speak in front of adults on ANY topic that they are passionate about.

I remember when I was a parent speaking out at a BOE meeting prior to being elected, experiencing a similar feeling as the writer — feeling that some board members were not listening when I spoke. Some were working on their laptops, sending messages that my comment was not important to them, as they could not even look up at me, let alone clap, or nod. It is one of the reasons that I do not bring a laptop to the meeting and always give my undivided attention to anyone speaking, regardless of the topic, because I do believe that everyone should be heard.

Lastly, I would like to address the bullying allegations, and that I was more concerned for the children that choose to unmask than keep their masks on.

I encourage the writer, and anyone else to re-listen to the comment, as it was in agreement with another board member that expressed the concern on the topic of bullying over mask choice. I validated the comment by stating this is a concern that we should have as a district, based on the amount of bullying that we have seen, particularly targeted at the mask choice parents and children.

These people who are often referred to as the “anti-maskers,” which dismisses their legitimate concerns about children’s mental health and those with challenges such as sensory issues, speech, and hearing troubles.

When we have groups of adults in town that have spent the better part of a year shaming both adults and children, and extending that public level of shame to local businesses, by calling out employees on social media about their personal choices as it pertains to masking or vaccination status. I agreed that bullying could be a real concern on this controversial topic. On both sides.

Our administration concurred and said that any acts of bullying regarding masking will be handled immediately. I was in full support of that.

These comments are my own as an individual and not on behalf of the Board of Education of which I am a member.

Jenn Larkin

Sandy Hook, CT