There is still no set reopening plan for Chicopee Schools in the fall. Some people said they are frustrated that a decision still hasn't been made.
Jim Tanhauser Jr., who serves on the Chicopee School Committee, said a decision should’ve been made during Wednesday evening’s meeting.
"We have a two and a half hour meeting where teachers are in attendance,” he said. “They wait for an answer and they don't get it at the end of the night. That's extremely disappointing."
At the end of the meeting, the decision was to wait another week before coming up with a plan. Some are in favor of starting school back virtually. Those in favor of remote learning are worried the coronavirus will spread quickly in the schools if teachers and students return in person.
Angela Klusman is the parent of four Chicopee School students. She said she wants students to go back in-person, but not until it’s safe. She said she doesn’t think starting back in person is the right decision. She said her kids are upset they won’t be able to see their friends and have the first day of school experience, but it’s not worth the risk of anyone getting sick.
"What if that one life ends up passing away,” Klusman said. “Honestly, one life is too much in my eyes."
Her son Evan said he doesn’t want to go back to school because he physically can’t handle wearing a mask for the entirety of the school day.
"I would rather stay back because I don't like wearing masks and my ears start to turn purple and I can't breathe,” he said.
On the other side, if remote learning is the decision made, some parents are concerned about what they are going to do with their children while they work. Other parents feel their students will be left behind if learning is done remotely.
Chicopee Mayor John Vieau said he has been receiving many phone calls and emails expressing concerns with all the options. Vieau said he’s keeping an open mind and will take all of these concerns into consideration when he makes his vote.
"One of the things we are focused on as a city is to create that safe environment for them if they do go back,” said Vieau.
Vieau added that the superintendent, Lynn Clark, has proposed an option to bring back some students safely so they can get the face to face learning. A decision has not yet been finalized but decision makers say a quality education and the safety of everyone is most important.
"I know things get tense when important topics are brought up, but I believe at the end of the day everyone has the best interest of Chicopee students, teachers and employees,” said Tanhauser.
Vieau said, "Our goal is to provide the best education possible under the circumstances handed to us."
As the school year approaches, parents say they need answers soon. Klusman said she is able to adapt her schedule easier than a lot of parents because she runs her own dance studio, but said they aren’t being given enough time to prepare for the school year regardless of the decision.
"Two weeks isn't enough. I mean for four kids and just now some of us going back to work, we don't have that kind of money right now to go buy a whole school load, especially with the more kids you have,” said Klusman.
There will be another meeting on Wednesday, August 12 and city officials say at that meeting they will come up with a final decision on a reopening plan for schools.
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