GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Despite the cold and snow, a group of Green Bay parents braved the elements on Saturday at a protest calling for students to return to in-person classes, amid the pandemic.
“What I want for Christmas is to go back to school,” student Riley Larson told FOX 11. “I want to go back to school!”
Outside the Green Bay Area Public Schools district office, many protesters had that same one-item wish list.
“We are not getting the education that she deserves,” parent Janna Larson said.
“We need to get back on track,” Leanne Cramer said. “If they don’t open the schools back up, with all the surrounding schools that are opening up, parents are going to say this is enough and I’m pulling my kids from the Green Bay schools and I’m putting them in a different school district.”
Nearby, West De Pere and Howard-Suamico public school districts are offering forms of in-person learning. Green Bay parents say their students are failing their virtual classes and overcome with depression.
“Other schools are making it work and I feel it’s time we had a chance,” parent Amy Mcnally said.
“I miss playing outside and recess,” Amy’s son Nolan added.
Organizers said they invited the city council, mayor, superintendent, and school board to the event; but most of them declined the invite. Two alderman and two school board members showed up.
“This whole virtual format is actually creating harm, so that is something that is hard to look away from and I think we need to consider some different options,” school board member Rhonda Sitinkau said.
School board president Eric VandenHeuvel and vice president Kristina Shelton sent FOX 11 statements:
“As a Board Trustee, I appreciate the outpouring of responses from our community on whether Green Bay Area Public Schools should be virtual or in-person. The Board has heard from individuals who feel strongly on both sides of the issue, and at Monday night’s Board meeting, we will take into consideration the feedback we have received from families, staff and students, as well as the administration and medical community when we revisit the current gating criteria and the proposed blended learning model. As a District parent, I truly understand the impact of the Board’s decisions on families. While everyone may not agree, I know we all want the best for our children and community.” -Eric Vanden Heuvel
“Thank you to the hundreds of folks who have called, emailed, peacefully assembled and shared content on social media to advocate for our students and school district. Regardless of your opinion on how the district should move forward, I applaud your participation in direct democratic action. It’s important and it matters deeply to the direction of our district as we continue to navigate an honest, robust, and equitable COVID response plan. We may not always agree on what’s next or the approach to the issue, but we can agree that we all love our district and want what’s best for our kids. I am looking forward to our Monday meeting and working with my fellow board members to determine how the district will move forward in response to gating criteria, sports and co-curriculars, and the hybrid model of learning.” -Kristina Shelton
The school board will meet on Monday night to go over its criteria for resuming in-person class.
Superintendent Steve Murley says the recent downward trend in COVID-19 positive cases is allowing the district to open buildings to staff next week. At Monday’s meeting, the board will also consider changing grading policy and graduation requirements for this year only.
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