The rise in cases of the new COVID variant, Omicron, has led to the renewal of COVID mandates and measures similar to those which were instituted during the earlier lockdown procedures. The emergence of Omicron has led to new school closures which is upsetting many who are fatigued by the continuing fallout from the pandemic.
In response to the new school closures across the country, Keri Rodrigues, co-founder and President of the National Parents Union, released this statement:
“What is transpiring in school districts across the country today is an abomination. Once again, parents are left scrambling at the last minute and, worse, far too many children are being deprived of an in-person learning experience, which is critical for their academic and social-emotional development. This could have and should have been avoided.
“Districts have had two years to adequately plan for this and more than $120 billion in federal funding has flowed into schools. Yet, schools are closing on a whim and parents are being left in the dark about how that money is being spent. There is no substitute for in-person learning and there is no excuse for the lack of leadership that is plaguing communities today.”
The National Parents Union is a network of parent organizations and grassroots activists across the country committed to improving the quality of life for children and families in the United States. NPU unites these organizations behind a common set of principles that put children and families at the center of the national education narrative. With delegates representing each of the 50 states, NPU disrupts the traditional role of parent voice in policy spaces and develops a new narrative that is inclusive of families from a wide variety of intersectional perspectives.
