Letter to reopen?

[Anonymous]

Someone recently shared a list of key emails to write to in favor of reopening and also to push for prioritizing schools over bars and other indoor venues.

Can you re share? I can’t find it.

Also hoping people will post their emails that they sent as a possible template. Let’s show support to prioritizing schools ASAP. The mayor and councilors need to hear from parents now.

[Anonymous]

Below is contact information someone posted.

I would cite the facts when advocating, such as the fact that experience in other parts of the world and in the U.S. tells us that schoolchildren are not major drivers of covid transmission and that schools have extremely low incidence of covid, and that public institutions, such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend that schools be open. This article recaps some of the information: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/22/health/coronavirus-schools-children.html


Chairman Phil Mendelson: Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]

At Large Anita Bonds: On Education Committee Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]
At Large David Gross: Lame Duck right now - Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]
At Large Elissa Silverman: Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]
At Large Robert White: On Education Committee Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]

Ward1 - Brianne Nadeau: Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]
Ward 2 - Brooke Pinto: Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]
Ward 3 - Mary Cheh: Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]
Ward 4: Brandon Todd Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]
Ward 5: Kenyan McDuffie: Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone] (used to have kids at Murch - pulled them to private?)
Ward 6: Charles Allen - on Education committee - Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]
Ward 7: Vincent Gray - Email: [e-mail] Telephone: tel[phone]
Ward 8: Trayon White Sr - on Education Committee - Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]

Lewis Ferebee: [e-mail]

Twitter too:
@dcpublicschools
@councilofdc
@DCPSChancellor

@BrianneKNadeau @ChmnMendelson @AnitaBondsDC @cmdgrosso @CMRobertWhiteDC @CMBrookePinto @marycheh @brandonttodd @kenyanmcduffie @CM_McDuffie @charlesallen @mayorvincegray @trayonwhite

[Anonymous]

Dear ______,
I am writing as a parent to two students (___ grade and ___ grade) who attend ________ to urge you to reopen schools in Term 3 with a hybrid model. Term 3 starts on February 1st and will take us through the one year mark of distance learning.

We are very lucky to have the resources to provide our children with adequate supervision and academic help, but it has become clear to us, that even with these resources, our children's mental health is declining. We are observing their love for school plummeting. We are seeing that even with our extra help, their academic progress is stunted. This is not a surprise. We have seen many reports indicating that school closures will have long-lasting negative impact on children.
- Most recently, UNICEF's report said, “The longer schools are closed, the more children suffer from extensive learning losses with long term negative impacts."
-The CDC has said, our goal should be "to prioritize the reopening of schools as safely and as quickly as possible given the many known and established benefits of in-person learning...The many benefits of in-person schooling should be weighed against the risks posed by COVID-19 spread. Of key significance, in-person learning is in the best interest of students, when compared to virtual learning."
-American Academy of Pediatrics has said, "Elected leaders must come together to appropriately support schools in safely returning students to the classroom and reopening schools.”
- Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times recently concluded that "children have suffered because many mayors and governors were too willing to close public schools."

The experts agree that schools reopened is what is in the best interest of the children. And that should be our focus.

As a leader of DCPS or the city government, I urge you to review the reports cited in this e-mail if you haven't already and do what is in the best interest of the children. This might not align with the best interest of our city's economy or the teachers' wishes. The focus should be on the children, particularly, and starting with the most high-risk, vulnerable children.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

[Anonymous]

I am sending a letter to my Council members, the mayor, the chancellor and other DCPS leadership.

[Anonymous]

Thank you!

Now we also need to push for closing down everything else in order to allow this to happen. Prioritize schools, DC!

[Anonymous]

I think you are all awful.

I know some teachers who have been teaching from their buildings in DC (no students, just teachers) who now have covid. How sick that you just really dgaf about teachers and the risk you are asking them to put up with just so you can get your child out of your house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you are all awful.

I know some teachers who have been teaching from their buildings in DC (no students, just teachers) who now have covid. How sick that you just really dgaf about teachers and the risk you are asking them to put up with just so you can get your child out of your house.

BS or misleading. No teacher has gotten COVID from a DCPS facility or it would be all over the WTU’s talking points and the news. You know several? This is why people are fed up with the WTU and trolls furthering it’s agenda.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you are all awful.

I know some teachers who have been teaching from their buildings in DC (no students, just teachers) who now have covid. How sick that you just really dgaf about teachers and the risk you are asking them to put up with just so you can get your child out of your house.

BS or misleading. No teacher has gotten COVID from a DCPS facility or it would be all over the WTU’s talking points and the news. You know several? This is why people are fed up with the WTU and trolls furthering it’s agenda.

God you are just so sure of yourself.

Yes, at charter schools. So no, not at DCPS "facilities" and not a WTU issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dear ______,
I am writing as a parent to two students (___ grade and ___ grade) who attend ________ to urge you to reopen schools in Term 3 with a hybrid model. Term 3 starts on February 1st and will take us through the one year mark of distance learning.

We are very lucky to have the resources to provide our children with adequate supervision and academic help, but it has become clear to us, that even with these resources, our children's mental health is declining. We are observing their love for school plummeting. We are seeing that even with our extra help, their academic progress is stunted. This is not a surprise. We have seen many reports indicating that school closures will have long-lasting negative impact on children.
- Most recently, UNICEF's report said, “The longer schools are closed, the more children suffer from extensive learning losses with long term negative impacts."
-The CDC has said, our goal should be "to prioritize the reopening of schools as safely and as quickly as possible given the many known and established benefits of in-person learning...The many benefits of in-person schooling should be weighed against the risks posed by COVID-19 spread. Of key significance, in-person learning is in the best interest of students, when compared to virtual learning."
-American Academy of Pediatrics has said, "Elected leaders must come together to appropriately support schools in safely returning students to the classroom and reopening schools.”
- Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times recently concluded that "children have suffered because many mayors and governors were too willing to close public schools."

The experts agree that schools reopened is what is in the best interest of the children. And that should be our focus.

As a leader of DCPS or the city government, I urge you to review the reports cited in this e-mail if you haven't already and do what is in the best interest of the children. This might not align with the best interest of our city's economy or the teachers' wishes. The focus should be on the children, particularly, and starting with the most high-risk, vulnerable children.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

Great letter. Thanks for sharing this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Someone recently shared a list of key emails to write to in favor of reopening and also to push for prioritizing schools over bars and other indoor venues.

Can you re share? I can’t find it.

Also hoping people will post their emails that they sent as a possible template. Let’s show support to prioritizing schools ASAP. The mayor and councilors need to hear from parents now.

You are only parents. Your perspective on this is not valid. Take a seat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you are all awful.

I know some teachers who have been teaching from their buildings in DC (no students, just teachers) who now have covid. How sick that you just really dgaf about teachers and the risk you are asking them to put up with just so you can get your child out of your house.

BS or misleading. No teacher has gotten COVID from a DCPS facility or it would be all over the WTU’s talking points and the news. You know several? This is why people are fed up with the WTU and trolls furthering it’s agenda.

God you are just so sure of yourself.

Yes, at charter schools. So no, not at DCPS "facilities" and not a WTU issue.

Show me the evidence of the multiple charter teachers with infections linked to school facilities. I’ll wait. You’re really so dumb you don’t think they would be relevant to the WTU? Come now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you are all awful.

I know some teachers who have been teaching from their buildings in DC (no students, just teachers) who now have covid. How sick that you just really dgaf about teachers and the risk you are asking them to put up with just so you can get your child out of your house.

BS or misleading. No teacher has gotten COVID from a DCPS facility or it would be all over the WTU’s talking points and the news. You know several? This is why people are fed up with the WTU and trolls furthering it’s agenda.

God you are just so sure of yourself.

Yes, at charter schools. So no, not at DCPS "facilities" and not a WTU issue.

Show me the evidence of the multiple charter teachers with infections linked to school facilities. I’ll wait. You’re really so dumb you don’t think they would be relevant to the WTU? Come now.

Are they (charters) required to report?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dear ______,
I am writing as a parent to two students (___ grade and ___ grade) who attend ________ to urge you to reopen schools in Term 3 with a hybrid model. Term 3 starts on February 1st and will take us through the one year mark of distance learning.

We are very lucky to have the resources to provide our children with adequate supervision and academic help, but it has become clear to us, that even with these resources, our children's mental health is declining. We are observing their love for school plummeting. We are seeing that even with our extra help, their academic progress is stunted. This is not a surprise. We have seen many reports indicating that school closures will have long-lasting negative impact on children.
- Most recently, UNICEF's report said, “The longer schools are closed, the more children suffer from extensive learning losses with long term negative impacts."
-The CDC has said, our goal should be "to prioritize the reopening of schools as safely and as quickly as possible given the many known and established benefits of in-person learning...The many benefits of in-person schooling should be weighed against the risks posed by COVID-19 spread. Of key significance, in-person learning is in the best interest of students, when compared to virtual learning."
-American Academy of Pediatrics has said, "Elected leaders must come together to appropriately support schools in safely returning students to the classroom and reopening schools.”
- Nicholas Kristof of The New York Times recently concluded that "children have suffered because many mayors and governors were too willing to close public schools."

The experts agree that schools reopened is what is in the best interest of the children. And that should be our focus.

As a leader of DCPS or the city government, I urge you to review the reports cited in this e-mail if you haven't already and do what is in the best interest of the children. This might not align with the best interest of our city's economy or the teachers' wishes. The focus should be on the children, particularly, and starting with the most high-risk, vulnerable children.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

I would add the following:

- New York City, which operates the largest school district in the country, was able to reopen for in-person learning for 8 weeks and only experienced 74 positive cases between students and staff out of 20,000 people back in schools.
- Dr. Fauci has said recently and repeated multiple times that, "to the best of our capability, we should try to keep the children in school and get them back in school for the simple reason that when you look at the infections of kids in school, the infection rate is really quite low. And you have to think of the disturbances to the children themselves as well as to the families with the secondary effects on working parents and what that means to them... the default position should be: you should try to do whatever you can to get the children in school."

[Anonymous]

Great points.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Below is contact information someone posted.

I would cite the facts when advocating, such as the fact that experience in other parts of the world and in the U.S. tells us that schoolchildren are not major drivers of covid transmission and that schools have extremely low incidence of covid, and that public institutions, such as the World Health Organization and UNICEF recommend that schools be open. This article recaps some of the information: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/22/health/coronavirus-schools-children.html


Chairman Phil Mendelson: Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]

At Large Anita Bonds: On Education Committee Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]
At Large David Gross: Lame Duck right now - Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]
At Large Elissa Silverman: Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]
At Large Robert White: On Education Committee Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]

Ward1 - Brianne Nadeau: Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]
Ward 2 - Brooke Pinto: Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]
Ward 3 - Mary Cheh: Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]
Ward 4: Brandon Todd Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]
Ward 5: Kenyan McDuffie: Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone] (used to have kids at Murch - pulled them to private?)
Ward 6: Charles Allen - on Education committee - Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]
Ward 7: Vincent Gray - Email: [e-mail] Telephone: tel[phone]
Ward 8: Trayon White Sr - on Education Committee - Email: [e-mail] Telephone: [phone]

Lewis Ferebee: [e-mail]

Twitter too:
@dcpublicschools
@councilofdc
@DCPSChancellor

@BrianneKNadeau @ChmnMendelson @AnitaBondsDC @cmdgrosso @CMRobertWhiteDC @CMBrookePinto @marycheh @brandonttodd @kenyanmcduffie @CM_McDuffie @charlesallen @mayorvincegray @trayonwhite

WHAT ABOUT THE WASHINGTON TEACHERS UNION?? They are the ones who are causing this delay in in-person learning? WTU are the ones who are pressuring the council members and mayor to put off learning in person. Why aren't people focusing on the union. ESPECIALLY ELIZABETH DAVIS