BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) – Buffalo Public Schools will begin classes in a week, but a vocal group of parent leaders called out the district for “late and inadequate planning” related to the virtual start of the school year.
“School is going to be starting a week from today and we’re still not clear, as parents, about what the exact plan is for our children,” Jessica Bauer Walker, President of the BPS Community Health Worker Parent Association. “We want to make sure the needs of working parents, single-family homes, folks who are struggling with issues related to children with special needs, limited English proficiency, people living at homes and communities with safety issues and violence and trauma, that we’re really making sure that we’re centering the needs of those families at those times.”
There are also concerns about multilingual students and their ability to adequately communicate with their school and ensure work is done. Khadijah Hussein, a parent and caregiver at the district, said many families like hers are concerned about a lack of action from the district.
Parents of children with special needs also feel left out by the district. Ed Speidel, a parent of two children with special needs, said he has tried to be a part of the reopening process and choked up about the struggles his two sons will face this year.
“It’s a disaster,” Speidel said. “Like nobody cares. The district doesn’t care about my children. They can get my kids in school. They don’t care enough. Today I just got a message they changed my CSE chair.”
Parents are pleading for the district to collaborate with parents on a plan to better assist these groups of students. Bauer Walker encouraged parents to contact their child’s school to resolve any questions or to contact the district’s HELP line at 816-7100.
“If you need food. If you need IT. If you’re worried about how this schedule is going to work. We need to raise our voices as parents and let parents know if you’re confused or if this is you, it’s not you,” Bauer Walker said. “You’re not alone. We recognize this is a challenging time for Buffalo Public Schools. It’s an even more challenging time for our families.”