Dr. Mike Robinson: Are you in favor of schools restarting in-person learning before the summer begins?
Arthur Cutler II: No, I am not. My continued concern is we are focusing on science to send our kids back to school. I have not seen a "County-wide Plan" from Prince George's County Public Schools, my local school system demonstrating mitigation efforts for each school to ensure parents feel safe sending all kids back to school, not just select portions of the county. Notwithstanding the lack of clarity on the effects of not having vaccines for kids, we have not even planned to ensure our educators have been vaccinated before returning.
We also have not addressed the issue of kids having the ability to transmit the virus while asymptomatic into the homes of a majority-minority county; which mandates special attention to the disparate contracting, death, and hospitalization rates to traditional caregivers like grandparents, daycare providers, and even elderly neighbors. Besides, other issues hadn't been addressed, such as transportation. School busses were overcrowded and couldn't come on time all last year.
Is there a plan that will have kids social distancing on the bus? Am I to believe they still will get to the bus stop and school on time now? These are the questions no one answers, but people are just throwing out random dates of getting our kids back to school. Is there a plan for new hand sanitizer stations to be installed in each school? Will someone be refilling the soap in the restrooms on a timely basis because my son said there is never any soap in his middle school soap dispenser? These are some of the questions I need to be answered before I send my kids back.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What benefits are there for students, in your opinion for students relative to in-person learning?
Arthur Cutler II: There are not many options, but Parks and Rec have tried to be proactive and offer programming. The county has provided different programming, but I think you have to be a parent plugged into these systems to take advantage of these services.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Do you believe that all was done or could have been done to make distance learning more effective for students?
Arthur Cutler II: Under the circumstances, I do think at the end of the 2019-20 school year, PGCPS did a good job adapting and seeking parent and community input. As it relates to the 2020-21 school year, I think some schools were more prepared than others, as I have two kids in different PGCPS schools. One is a specialty school, and the other is a traditional middle school. I also applaud PGCPS to get electronic devices for all students. Still, lack of teacher training was a significant barrier for distance learning for my son in the traditional middle school.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Are schools the only way for students to have socialization that can benefit? Should schools reopen if all teachers have not received the vaccination?
Arthur Cutler II: No, we continued to keep each of our kids in virtual activities like dance and exercise programs. We also had my son in outside sports until it no longer became safe.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Do you think students do not take distance learning as seriously as they should because they hear adults say it is not working?
Arthur Cutler II: I think this depends on the student and/or family. Some students will naturally be focused and do well regardless of negative comments heard or even adversities faced. However, some students are very easily influenced and would very well be persuaded to let comments overheard by adults affect their opinion and attitudes toward distance learning.
Dr. Mike Robinson: If schools are considered the HUB of their community and the community is high exposure to COVID, should schools reopen in-person learning?
Arthur Cutler II: No, I think you must factor in Race to this question. The CDC stated if the exposure rates are up, you need to get the numbers down to warrant against the spread. Suppose the schools are the HUB in a majority-minority community such as Prince George's County. In that case, I think it's essential to develop a plan that provides assurance you want to place the kids, teachers, and community as a whole at risk of mass COVID spread. This is especially concerning, considering the more potent variants that are showing up.
Arthur Cutler, II has a B.A. in political science from Morehouse College, a law degree from Michigan State University and completed his Nonprofit Executive Management studies at Georgetown University. Previously, he worked as the Coalition Membership Director at the National Crime Prevention Council, Deputy Director of Network Growth with the Alliance for Nonprofit Management and Director of Organizational Management with the National Disability Rights Network.
Arthur Cutler II: No, I am not. My continued concern is we are focusing on science to send our kids back to school. I have not seen a "County-wide Plan" from Prince George's County Public Schools, my local school system demonstrating mitigation efforts for each school to ensure parents feel safe sending all kids back to school, not just select portions of the county. Notwithstanding the lack of clarity on the effects of not having vaccines for kids, we have not even planned to ensure our educators have been vaccinated before returning.
We also have not addressed the issue of kids having the ability to transmit the virus while asymptomatic into the homes of a majority-minority county; which mandates special attention to the disparate contracting, death, and hospitalization rates to traditional caregivers like grandparents, daycare providers, and even elderly neighbors. Besides, other issues hadn't been addressed, such as transportation. School busses were overcrowded and couldn't come on time all last year.
Is there a plan that will have kids social distancing on the bus? Am I to believe they still will get to the bus stop and school on time now? These are the questions no one answers, but people are just throwing out random dates of getting our kids back to school. Is there a plan for new hand sanitizer stations to be installed in each school? Will someone be refilling the soap in the restrooms on a timely basis because my son said there is never any soap in his middle school soap dispenser? These are some of the questions I need to be answered before I send my kids back.
Dr. Mike Robinson: What benefits are there for students, in your opinion for students relative to in-person learning?
Arthur Cutler II: There are not many options, but Parks and Rec have tried to be proactive and offer programming. The county has provided different programming, but I think you have to be a parent plugged into these systems to take advantage of these services.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Do you believe that all was done or could have been done to make distance learning more effective for students?
Arthur Cutler II: Under the circumstances, I do think at the end of the 2019-20 school year, PGCPS did a good job adapting and seeking parent and community input. As it relates to the 2020-21 school year, I think some schools were more prepared than others, as I have two kids in different PGCPS schools. One is a specialty school, and the other is a traditional middle school. I also applaud PGCPS to get electronic devices for all students. Still, lack of teacher training was a significant barrier for distance learning for my son in the traditional middle school.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Are schools the only way for students to have socialization that can benefit? Should schools reopen if all teachers have not received the vaccination?
Arthur Cutler II: No, we continued to keep each of our kids in virtual activities like dance and exercise programs. We also had my son in outside sports until it no longer became safe.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Do you think students do not take distance learning as seriously as they should because they hear adults say it is not working?
Arthur Cutler II: I think this depends on the student and/or family. Some students will naturally be focused and do well regardless of negative comments heard or even adversities faced. However, some students are very easily influenced and would very well be persuaded to let comments overheard by adults affect their opinion and attitudes toward distance learning.
Dr. Mike Robinson: If schools are considered the HUB of their community and the community is high exposure to COVID, should schools reopen in-person learning?
Arthur Cutler II: No, I think you must factor in Race to this question. The CDC stated if the exposure rates are up, you need to get the numbers down to warrant against the spread. Suppose the schools are the HUB in a majority-minority community such as Prince George's County. In that case, I think it's essential to develop a plan that provides assurance you want to place the kids, teachers, and community as a whole at risk of mass COVID spread. This is especially concerning, considering the more potent variants that are showing up.
Arthur Cutler, II has a B.A. in political science from Morehouse College, a law degree from Michigan State University and completed his Nonprofit Executive Management studies at Georgetown University. Previously, he worked as the Coalition Membership Director at the National Crime Prevention Council, Deputy Director of Network Growth with the Alliance for Nonprofit Management and Director of Organizational Management with the National Disability Rights Network.