Parents start petition to reopen schools full-time for vulnerable students
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) Kids are finding fun in staying home this Summer, but parents are worried about what lies ahead.
Jill Lewis lives in Carmel and is waiting to hear if her three kids will return to school in the Fall. "I imagine that with the virus spiking our options will be pretty dismal. It could be two days a week if we are lucky," said Lewis.
Lewis hopes schools will reopen completely. 60 people have signed an online petition she made. It advocates for parents who could be forced to choose between caring for their kids and returning to work.
"I just can't imagine what's going to happen if you tell a mother that she has to leave her 5 or 7 year old home alone to go to work to ensure that she can afford their house," said Lewis.
Many school districts plan to continue distance learning in the Fall. Countless meetings with parents and staff have taken place to discuss reopening.
As cases rise, administrators said they must put safety first. "At this point, distance learning would be our best approach moving forward. On July 21, I will take that recommendation to our school board for final adoption," said Salinas Union High School District Superintendent, Dan Burns.
Burns said the district is exploring options to offer childcare, primarily for staff who have children of their own.
Parents across the Central Coast are still waiting for more clarity. "I just want this to be part of the conversation. We need to figure out what we are going to do next for these families," said Lewis.
