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School year should start remotely

Aug. 10, 2020 |

I am writing to you to inform you that the Agawam School Committee voted for our re-entry plan to schools on 8/7/20.  The final vote was a hybrid model, which are students and teachers will be in the school buildings 1/2 the time.  I voted against this model due to my opinion that the safety of our students, teachers, and community are a priority regarding the COVID pandemic as well as many unanaswered questions from our community.

I am wholeheartedly concerned about the continued increase of COVID cases in the state of MA.  As of August 5th, Agawam has been identified within the top five cities/towns in Western MA w/covid 19 with 506 cases. The Department of Public Health Reporting System reports that 7,357 children from the ages of 19 and under have been affected by COVID-19 throughout the Commonwealth.  The Department of Public Health also reported as of Aug. 5 a case count of 19 cases and within the last 14 days, there were a total of 25 Agawam cases as well as a 2.42 percent positive percentage increase.

I have seen 1st hand the impact of what this virus has on students and families within the community.  I am a parent of a 15-year-old son and know what it's like for our students to regress socially and emotionally and I also work with many other famiIies who have suffered economically and emotional hardships during this pandemic.  My heart goes out to all of those within the community who have been affected by this virus.   My vote was wholeheartedly for the safety and welfare of our community. I cannot speak on behalf of other members of the School Committee, however, I was not alone in my position of starting our schools remotely. I would rather overreact than underreact regarding the safety of our community.  I want to thank the administration for their planning from the state guidelines set forth for our school districts, however, there are a lot of unanswered questions.

I strongly believe in working together and moving forward for our children's educational experience as well as transparency is crucial for our children to return to school as our students will face a transformed educational experience as well as our teachers.  Thank you.

Kerri O’Connor
School Committee Member Agawam

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