February 26 2021
A group of protesters says online learning is a failure and it is safe to go back to in-person learning.
Naomi Haring is hurtling toward the end of her freshman at Barlow High School, but she has never taken a class in the Barlow building. She joined a clutch of people at the administrative offices of the Gresham-Barlow School District this week, calling for schools to reopen buildings for in-person classes. We re not being effectively educated online. It s not possible to get a good education and be prepared for college, she said at the afternoon rally Wednesday, Feb. 24. Our mental health is going down really fast. It s taken a big impact on students of all ages, she added.
The proposal was discussed at a recent Gresham-Barlow School Board meeting and greeted with skepticism.
Director Kris Howatt said that at a meeting with state officials and educators where the student self-test plan was outlined, we had a high level of disbelief that was going to be something that was actually going to be practical and possible.
Gresham-Barlow Superintendent Katrise Perera said that because of liability and other issues, I would not volunteer our staff or students to participate in those types of things.
Perera said at another meeting of agency and school officials, the self-test proposal was a bone of contention.