BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) Many Buffalo residents think Buffalo Schools have returned to normal following the pandemic. After all, classes are in-person
and the mask mandate was lifted March 2.
But the situation is far from normal, according to Buffalo School Board member Larry Scott who is calling for remaining restrictions to be lifted.
"We all know our students, our families and staff have experienced interruptions since March 2020 with the pandemic. Restrictions have impacted learning and social-emotional development. And we still have restrictions that I believe need to be lifted," said Scott. "We are in a good place with Covid right now. Our students and our families need to have fullaccess to our buildings."
Currently, parents have no access to school buildings within the district. "Right now, if you pick up your student, in the middle of the day, you are not allowed into the building. That needs to change immediately," he said.
In-person events, such as celebrations, student performances, open houses, meetings, field days and field trips are not happening.
"Students and families look forward to these experiences," explained Scott.
"They are huge for students, families and staff and have a big impact on social, emotional development."
In addition, Scott wants carpets returned to Pre-K and primary grade classrooms. "It may sound trivial, but it's huge to an early elementary grade classroom where students gather on a rug with a teacher for learning."
The absence of field trips may be one of the biggest losses. "We have so many wonderful enriching institutions in the community that our students can learn from. We need to get back to having these in-person experiences, and not virtual field trips."
Scott's resolution calls for policies in the district to align with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, New York State Department of Health
and Erie County Department of Health.
Is he concerned that the longer these restrictions go on, the greater chance they might never come back? Scott agreed, 100%. "As an example, my wife and I attended a virtual open house last month at our son's school. At the end of it, we both said, this needs to stop. We need to be able to get back into our schools." Again this week, Scott said he attended another virtual open house at another son's school.
"There is no substitution for being in your child's classroom, seeing students work, interacting with staff. It's a community-based feel that needs to return. Our schools are the hub of our community," he added.
Related
With violence and threats escalating in schools, Scott said you don't have to look far to find a connection. "When our students returned to full time in-person learning, it was very clear that the lack of a routine in school has had an impact. It is a significant problem and it needs to change."
He thinks it will take another two years to teach children how to interact with one another, how to handle decision making and how to regulate what's on social media.
