Parents Call for Immediate Full School Reopenings, Including 7th Through 12th Grade

Following an announcement by both LA County and Pasadena Public Health Departments that local schools may open K-6 classes by meeting the proper guidelines, more than three dozen Pasadena parents gathered at City Hall Tuesday to demand that local schools be allowed to reopen 7th-12th grade classes as well. 

PPHD said Monday night that all local schools which have waivers to reopen and can meet reopening requirements may begin in-person instruction for younger students.  

Organizer and parent Erika Foy told the assembled group, “It is hard to believe our kids are on day 340 of Zoom learning. Why? We now know in-person schooling can be done safely to protect kids and teachers with proper masking, social distancing protocols, and handwashing.” 

Foy also claimed that “there is substantial data that now shows in-person learning is not associated with accelerating community transmission when these protocols are followed.” 

“Our kids are suffering tremendously and pediatricians from San Francisco to San Diego are calling on schools to open. We currently have school districts closed all throughout California with no indication they will reopen anytime soon.” 

Foy asked the group, “Are you ok with school not opening till next Fall?”

District 2 Councilmember Felicia Williams, who also attended the rally, called for a “more comprehensive public policy” with regard to school reopenings.

“The comprehensive solution would be to look at the impact of our closures on everything—on economics, (and) on the emotional health and well-being not only of our students, but on everybody else,” Williams said.

12 Pasadena private schools have received waivers and were moving towards reopening. Pasadena Unified schools might not reopen for at least two weeks, pending labor negotiations.

According to PUSD Board member Scott Phelps, PUSD administrators will meet with United Teachers Pasadena (UTP) representatives on February 24 to discuss conditions for a three-phase reopening, beginning with grades K-2, with grades 3-6, and 7-12 to follow.

PUSD Superintendent Dr. Brian McDonald said Monday, “There is no set date for reopening (PUSD) schools.”