S.J. Unified reopening gambles student safety

San Jose Unified School District’s plan to reopen in January is a terrible decision (“San Jose Unified plans to reopen classrooms,” Page B1, Nov. 4). Opening schools because Santa Clara County has decreased coronavirus outbreaks does not prioritize student and societal safety.

The conversation of education during the pandemic has been ongoing, but I wonder if the parents and students are being involved in this conversation. I know I wouldn’t risk my sister’s health to send her back into a classroom. Parents and students must be included in the discussion that involves their health and safety.

If interaction and level of learning are decreasing then we must prepare better and longer-term solutions, because we don’t know when the next outbreak will be. What can school districts do to interact with their students to engage them in learning?

Instead of gambling the safety of children, why not change the outdated curriculum and high standards to accommodate students living through a global pandemic.

— Jennifer Garcia, San Jose