Scotch Plains-Fanwood Parents Rally, Want Kids Back In School

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ — Scotch Plains and Fanwood parents came out on Tuesday night to rally for the district to open schools in September for in-person learning.

Scotch Plains mother of three, Danielle Prussin Wildstein, organized the rally after the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Regional School District announced on Friday night it would begin the school year completely virtual due to the coronavirus.

"We want to have our choice back to put our kids in hybrid learning," Wildstein said. "My second grader needs to be in school with his teacher and classmates. Virtual learning was a disaster last year and no fault to his teacher. She was amazing. It was the fault of the vehicle. Virtual learning doesn't work for most if not all. Kids need to be learning in person with teachers and classmates."

Up until Friday, the school district had planned on reopening with two plans for parents: hybrid and all virtual. On Friday night, Superintendent Dr. Joan Mast announced the change in the reopening plan citing an inadequate ventilation system in school buildings and also the level for the spread of the Coronavirus disease in the state. Read More: Scotch Plains-Fanwood To Reopen With All Virtual Learning Plan

Wildstein said when the announcement was released many parents were left "scratching their heads" because this was the first they had heard of the HVAC issues. There were several public presentations going over the hybrid plan earlier that same week and Wildstein said not once was the HVAC ever mentioned as an issue.

"I do respect the school leadership, but when Dr. Mast gives a specific reason for not being able to open safely, a day after when they said they could open safely I am asking her for evidence. We need to hold them accountable for the reason they give. We want transparency and we don't feel that is wrong. Everyone should hold the school leadership accountable. It is our duty as parents to advocate for our children," Wildstein said.

The rally outside of Park Middle School drew parents and students who wore masks and held signs stating: "Teachers Are Essential", "Open Schools Safely. What's the plan for HVAC?", "We want kids to get a real education."

A young student also held a sign stating "I want to go back to school."

Mast did not return Patch's request for comment about the rally.

Fanwood Mayor Colleen Mahr said she was concerned about the news to go virtual.

"That was sort of a surprise the way that it got rolled out and so there is a flurry of sorted information that people want. I have reached out to the superintendent and have asked to have a meeting with her to discuss exactly... I would like a little more information as to the depth of the challenge she is facing that brought her to that decision. I understand safety is the concern, but at the same time 80 percent of parents wanted some sort of in-person education," Mahr said during Fanwood's Council meeting on Monday.

"As a single working mother with three boys I can tell you I am concerned, I would be lying if I told you anything else of how I am going to do this with a 7th grader, 10th grader, and a 12th grader. I am not sure how it is going to work," Mahr continued.

Scotch Plains Mayor Al Smith also commented on the news on his Facebook page.

"Yes, I am disappointed that the student in-school option is off the table at this time, but I support the decision not to send our children, teachers, and administrators into what the State has declared to be an unsafe situation. If we wouldn’t ask our children to use playground equipment or eat school lunches known to be below the recommended safety standards, we can hardly choose to put them in a potentially unsafe environment during a pandemic. The safety of all our residents is my highest priority, and I don’t believe we should ever compromise on that, Smith said.

Moving forward, Wildstein said she is planning more rallies and has also created a Facebook group for parents called SPF Parents for Choice "to discuss and share information on reopening SP-F schools safely aiming to give the choice of hybrid learning back to parents."

Wildstein will also be asking questions and is encouraging other parents to do the same at the next Board of Education meeting scheduled for Aug. 27.

Video below submitted with permission:

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