After-school program would segregate students

The Danbury News-Times published the article “Brookfield adds after-school program that gives teens experiences ‘they can’t get in school settings’ ” (Sept. 15). The article notes that the Craft Center “will ask for proof of vaccination for students” who wish to participate in the two-year $90,000 state funded program.

After speaking with Assistant Superintendent Maureen Ruby, she clarified that vaccinations are not required to take part in the program, but students at the Craft Center will likely be segregated from unvaccinated children.

It seems odd that the same children who are in school together all day would have to be segregated based on vaccination status at the Craft Center. These types of programs, one would think, would promote inclusivity rather than segregation and division.

This may also lead to inefficiency in the way grant money is being spent. What if classes are not evenly divided? For example, 15 in one class and two in another based on vaccination status would not be a prudent use of instructional resources, and thereby a waste of grant money intended for all students.

The assistant superintendent’s initiative in acquiring the grant is phenomenal for Brookfield students, however the Craft Center’s implementation should be readdressed to align with current school policy, which does not segregate based on vaccination status.

After-school programs should not be creating cliques in the student population of who can work together and who cannot. Under the current plan, best friends, one vaccinated and one not, would be told they cannot participate in the same class at the Craft Center, although they spend time at each other’s house and at school. Does this sound logical?

Tara Carr is a Brookfield taxpayer and mother of four.