‘I would just cry:’ Lee County high school student pleads against virtual schooling

A new plan for the school year in Lee County has community members concerned.

One high school student voiced her concerns in a letter to the school board expressing her feelings and concerns about a hybrid program that will change the way students learn.

She feels that this hybrid learning will do more harm than good.

When Kaitlyn Logue wrote her letter, she said it nearly broke her.

“Being alone like this, doing all these classes online, alone, with little help,” she said.

She told the people in power about her anxiety, reading the words aloud. “I did not know a young adult could feel as much stress as me and my friends have.”

But it was no comparison to living them.

“I was having multiple mental breakdowns a week where sometimes I would just cry,” she said. “It would be hard to even be motivated to do these things, I was just so stressed. I didn’t even know where to start with my work…When I think about how long this could last, I just don’t know how I’m going to do it. And I have friends who have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety and I feel for them as well.”

She told the people who will finalize Lee County’s back to school plan about the moments she’s missing.

“Homecoming decorations or honors societies,” she said to name a few.

Just seeing her friends and letting them know she cares, “even just a couple of seconds to ask someone how their day went, it makes so much of a difference.”

She warns if students aren’t back in their seats, “I don’t know how I can do it again. I’m going to feel this way for the foreseeable future.” She asks decision-makers, “please consider how we are all feeling in this, because it’s really difficult.”

Board member Mary Fischer says she read Logue’s email and she’s glad she did. She said the letter gave her insight into just how tough this has been for kids and that it makes her feel even stronger that the board’s plan needs to provide kids with options.

We reached out to Superintendent Adkins through a spokesperson and have not heard back on the matter, but did receive the following response:

“I do know the email was received and was forwarded to the repopeningschools@leeschools.net email address.  Those emails are being cataloged for their ideas and suggestions and then taken into consideration for the back to school plan. Staff is also responding as quickly as possible to those who write in. We appreciate the time, concern and feedback of every person who emails us.  Our goal is for as normal a return to school as possible, but we must develop a plan that is first of all safe, equitable for every student, fiscally responsible and supported by our community.”