Teachers and parents voice concerns for mandate to return to school

With rising COVID-19 cases many are divided over sending your kids back to the classroom. But the state is mandating brick and mortar learning must be an option five days a week.

The mandatory return to school is concerning for mothers who worry this will contribute to the spread of the virus.

“It’s just going to be a really big open-source of infection for the community overall,” said Collier County mom, Christine Fuller.

The task force says the emergency order by the state means their hybrid model for middle and high school students no longer works.

So at Tuesday’s meeting, they introduced the Lee Home Connect model.

It would allow students to pair with a teacher from their school for full-time home learning during the first quarter.

And once they return to school they would be paired with the same teacher, In the same classes.

The biggest discussion during last night’s meeting focused on masks and whether they should be required on buses and in between classes, which is a controversial topic for parents.

One Lee County school teacher says masks would make her feel more comfortable.

She said the key to keeping your kids safe in the classroom this year will be to establish a routine. One that could implement mask-wearing, frequent hand washing or sanitizing and cleaning of desks and high contact surfaces.

“What is going to happen if we go back to school and someone contracts it? Are we all back to online schooling? We just don’t wanna have to go back-and-forth.” said one Lee County school teacher and parent.

The task force will present their revised plans to the school board at 1 p.m. Wednesday.