KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Geoff and Stephanie Chang moved to Kansas City with their three kids, ages 10, 7, and 5, just a few weeks ago.
With a new school year on the horizon, what that school year will bring is weighing on their minds.
"If we don’t open schools in any measure, we’re doing a disservice to something that is essential in terms of our society," Stephanie says.
They're hopeful for smart and safe plans from school districts.
"There is also an opportunity for some creative thinking, isn’t there?" Geoff says. "With the pandemic in place, I think parents and teachers can work together on some new creative ways to meet those educational and social requirements our kids need."
That type of creative planning is coming out from local health leaders.
Children's Mercy Hospital released an 18-page outline of what schools can do, covering everything from ventilation, transportation, and lunch hour guidelines.
Still, if at-home learning is a component, parents are worried.
"I think it’ll be hard. He’s 4, he’s just thinking about playing and it’s hard for me to keep him in one place and pay attention to what I tell him. I don’t think I’ll have an easy way to teach him," says Claritsel Gutierrez of Independence.
Parents know their own situations are unique, and whatever comes next will look different for every home.
"Inequity piece is tough. It affects families differently. Perhaps this is an area where schools can try to recognize that inequity, provide some additional tutoring or something like that," the Chang's said. "And let parents make choices as to what they take advantage of for what’s best for their families."
