Los Angeles County has begun to consider applications for in-person instruction for students in kindergarten through second grade.
While any move toward safe school reopening is positive, particularly in districts like LVUSD with extremely low COVID rates, I take issue with the lack of attention paid to the needs of high school students.
There seems to be an underlying assumption that just because teenagers can push the buttons on a computer better, they are less impacted by online learning than young kids.
As any parent of a teen can tell you, they are severely impacted both academically and, importantly, in their mental health. These are the kids who are taking high-level academic classes with labs. These are the kids who are, and will be, applying to college.
These are the kids who study after study show are at high risk of depression and anxiety and who suffer significantly when they can’t interact with peers and friends.
In addition, Moorpark High School will be opening on Oct. 21. Secondary schools in the Conejo Valley Unified School District are looking to reopen mid-November. Meanwhile, our high school students will be sitting on Zoom.
I understand the limitations the county has set, but change doesn’t come without a fight. In my opinion, no one is fighting for our teenagers.
I encourage parents to make their voices heard at the district, county and state levels.
Stefanie Kavanagh
Agoura Hills
Everyone is experiencing loss and change due to COVID. What is becoming much more clear is that there is not near enough focus on the impact this is having on teens.
Teens are reporting significantly higher rates of sadness and depression. The loss of school, structure and social engagement impacts them in so many ways that I just don’t think adults and those in charge take into account.
In our community, restaurants are filled, malls are open and gyms are opening, yet our kids continue to do “school” from home. This just does not make sense.
Dr. Stepenosky shared some powerful numbers that show that the cities that make up LVUSD are not just at the levels that would be required to open; they are well below those numbers and have been throughout this pandemic.
Because LVUSD is a part of L,A, County—though we are much closer to Ventura County— we are held by L.A. County’s numbers.
Sheila Kuehl is the county supervisor for our area, but she clearly does not speak for our community. She has openly said that families should not plan on our high school students returning to school for the 2020-21 school year.
LVUSD has spent over a million dollars getting our schools ready to have students return in a modified and safe manner. They also have in place a virtual option that allows any student to remain virtual.
The district has plans that allow for students of all ages, who choose to return, to return safely, yet we may not get that chance due to the restrictions being a part of L.A. County places on us.
If this is something you care about, please reach out to Sheila Kuehl’s office.
Private and public schools are opening up right next door in Ventura County over the next few weeks. Students in LVUSD—the families that choose to return— deserve the opportunity to return in a safe manner.
Joslyn McNulty
Agoura Hills