Gov. Tate Reeves announced local school leaders to determine the start of the school years with the exception of eight counties. Thankfully Marion County was not one of the eight.
I thought I would throw my two cents into the ring. One thing that needs to be done away with, especially this year, are uniforms. Uniforms are costly and with so much uncertainty with how the year will play out, why make parents spend money on clothes the students may or may not wear? Especially at a time when parents have been out of work for months. Yes, this past weekend was tax-free weekend so my argument is late, but I think there are better ways to spend money than on uniforms if the possibility of remote learning may still be necessary.
The coronavirus is out there, and nothing is going change that now. People have been visiting other people, going to church, going to stores and other places. Most people have not sat in their homes day after day for more than six months. Personally I think most people by now have been exposed to it, even if how closely may be debated.
Please do not misunderstand me. I am not saying this virus is not serious; I know it is. I know two people who I used to attend church with who are both hospitalized in ICU on ventilators. I know it is bad and affecting a lot of people.
Some are choosing traditional learning, while others are going with distance learning. Who is right and who is wrong? Both are right. There is no easy answer to this situation. Parents and guardians are divided on this matter, and both point of views offer valid points.
As a parent of a senior (Where has the time gone?) and a junior, I am making the decision to send my children to school. While yes I am concerned about the coronavirus, I do believe this is the best choice for us.
Like last year was very hard on the seniors, I believe the fall will at least be the same way. Seniors are at a point where it is time to apply for scholarships, decisions are being made for life after high school and they need to have every avenue available to help them in this important decision. I also think the students need a little bit of normalcy. All these months of sitting at home has not been healthy for them, and leaving teenagers idle for too long is never a good idea.
I also understand why some are hesitant. No one wants to catch COVID-19, and the concern of the children bringing it home is real. I know, especially with smaller children, the task of making sure they keep their masks on and not put their fingers in their mouths or nose is also a major concern. The idea of remote learning does have merit as well.
While summertime has been different this year, it has also been the same. I haven’t seen any vacation pictures from Hawaii or The Bahamas, but I have seen pictures of people vacationing all over the U.S. People are getting out; the four walls of their homes are driving them insane. People have needed to laugh, relax and live life for a few moments without spending every second thinking about the pandemic.
Let’s face it, 2020 has been a year for the books. So much has happened and there are still five months to go. The students need a break from all of the outside craziness. For me, sending mine to school is one of the sanest decisions I can make.
Susan Amundson is managing editor of The Columbian-Progress. She may be reached at (601) 736-2611 or
samundson@columbianprogress.com.
