Candidate Joel Jacobsen responds to Robin Vos’ letter to school districts
Forty-seven GOP legislators signed a letter on July 29, 2020 that went to many school districts in Wisconsin putting a heavy request to hold in-person, on site schooling this fall. This letter is insulting to school boards and educators across the state. It provides no guidance, no added PPE supplies, and no plan if students or staff test positive. If schools need to be virtual there is no offer of added technology to families who may need a computer, nor does it offer broad band internet extension to the many communities without internet access. Instead it just gives them “we strongly encourage” warning that teachers should be in the buildings daily instead of working safely from home if teaching remotely.
Last March with just a few days notice school districts made an amazing switch to on-line and remote learning. Teachers, like the super heroes that they are, put in many extra hours creating learning kits, lessons, links, worksheets, and reference guides. Teachers kept schedules for their classes, assessed learning and made the very best of the situation. The tech departments of the school districts worked to get as many iPads, Chrome books, and other devices into the hands of families. Internet companies pitched in with providing free or reduced rate connections. Federal lunch programs were quickly recreated to get food to hungry families. It was a huge effort and this letter gives them no credit for all their work and no offer of needed help.
Educators missed their students. They know that remote education was not the best learning situation, but it was the safe learning situation. Students miss their peers and the unique opportunities that cannot be matched from home. The letter was not helpful, in fact it shows a failure in leadership. Once again the Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature attempt to advance their agenda while offering no tools or support. This creates yet another burden on districts during this very difficult time.
Joel Jacobsen
Joel for Wisconsin
200 Peters Parkway Burlington, WI 53105
http://joelfor63.com
Susan Sheldon
Campaign manager 262-951-6650
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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