Closing schools demands attention to myriad issues
President Donald Trump missed a fantastic opportunity to wrap up his re-election bid.
Had Trump better handled the Coronavirus emergency aka CoVid 19 pandemic, he could have waltzed toward another inauguration. Now? Not so sure after he bungled and fumbled his ginormous chance to display leadership. People judge leaders by how they handled emergencies, crises and adversity.
Pointing fingers at others, blaming China, fingering President Barack Obama, accusing the media of producing fake news and causing hysteria, did nothing to stymie Coronavirus. In fact, Trump’s delay to act placed more U.S. citizens in harm’s way. Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora and other area leaders will be judged by how they handle the Coronavirus pandemic.
A decision by Mayor Gusciora and other officials to close city schools receives major support here. Now, how do we move forward with the education process in a poor urban school district blanketed by a litany of issues including a lack of computers in homes, boarded satellite libraries, food insecurity and urban myths, including one in circulation that blacks and Latinos don’t get Coronavirus?
We need to continue education despite the economic and infrastructure challenges that plague poor school districts. Closing schools will create havoc which means a distribution of facts becomes paramount regarding this crucial mission to protect our children and community.
If this Coronavirus rates as an emergency then let’s act like it. In Trenton, that means a dissemination of accurate information, plus, helping parents, students, city employees and others survive this serious health threat. Ronald Lee, interim superintendent of Trenton schools, signed off on this letter sent to city school staff.
“The city health officer approved the closing of schools for students from Monday, March 16th through March 27th. To assist with implementing our emergency contingency plan: School-based Administrators, all Central Office staff, Parent Liaisons, and all Secretaries are to report to their locations on Monday, March 16th through Wednesday, March 18th. Work hours will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Teachers and Paraprofessionals are to report from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, March 16th. Remote Expectations (when physical reporting is not required) TEA members will be available to students via Google Classroom, e-mail and/or telephone* for atleast 4 hours each day between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
o It is expected for teachers to maintain their grade books. All other staff will be available to support their supervisors from the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 3:00p.m. for at least 4 hours.
Great. Information offers power although had numerous conversations with parents who knew nothing about the decision to shut down city schools for two weeks. And what about those homes where there are no computers, no way to access websites that can assist with online learning?
Plus, schools offer safe havens for students approximately seven hours daily. Imagine the concerns for children being left alone in homes in challenged neighborhoods. Mind you, issues in Trenton are significantly different than those being faced in economically-secured suburban district homes. They have chickens in pots, toilet paper stacked higher than the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and in many cases more than one computer which makes home-schooling or online learning possible.
Suburban parents have minimal worries about interactions their children may have with law enforcement officers during this down time from structured learning. As city officials discuss ways to move forward, conversations with how police engage youth and vice versa, seems like a worthy discussion. Face it, there’s going to be many young people on the street during these next two challenging weeks, perhaps longer.
Here’s another issue. Many Trenton public school students enjoy free breakfast and lunch opportunities. Those needs do not diminish because schools close. How do we continue to handle food insecurity challenges will require a distinct plan. A recent online article about Princeton and West Windsor closing schools produced this personal tweet.
‘CoVid 19 will underscore advantages enjoyed by wealthy and successful school districts, plus, highlight disadvantages of poor in regards to receiving adequate health care. The last shall be last.’
During a different time in the City of Trenton, former Mayor Douglas H. Palmer and his staff delivered impressive leadership when meteorologists predicted an impending snow storm. The Palmer administration created a command post which included as assembly of city leaders, firefighters, police and numerous city departments. And Kent Ashworth, a talented public information officer, maintained workable relationships with news media while he dispensed accurate, pertinent and updated information.
While Coronavirus hardly signals the end of the world, we need to treat this health issue as a real emergency that will impact our lives long after scientists discover a vaccine. Adversity has offered a wonderful opportunity for local leaders to display their best leadership behaviors.