Fighting for Safe Schools: A Parent's Journey Through the Pandemic

Fighting for Safe Schools: A Parent's Journey Through the Pandemic

It's been a whirlwind, but I'm incredibly proud of the progress we've made. As a parent, I felt an urgent need for my voice to be heard concerning COVID safety in Boston Public Schools (BPS). That led me to join an amazing group called FamCosa, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I got involved due to the constant changes and the alarming rise in COVID cases in BPS, especially after the Christmas break. The surge was devastating. My son, in 3rd grade, looked at me and asked, "Mama, when will this virus leave us kids alone?" I stumbled for an answer, hoping "soon" would be enough.

But what truly propelled me to action was my son's personal experience. He was out for 10 days in early September 2021 due to being a close contact, then developed symptoms himself. He later told me he sometimes didn't eat lunch at school because he didn't feel safe. As a child with physical and emotional impairments, hearing school mandates constantly shifting or being dropped was terrifying. The push to act was now.

Our Demands: Health and Education Hand-in-Hand

During the Omicron surge, I firmly believed that no parent should have to choose between their child's health and their education. My son, fearing he wouldn't be promoted to the next grade because of absences (even before vaccines were available for his age group), fueled my fight alongside other incredible parents. As I stated publicly, "At this time, BPS must guarantee a safe environment for families whose children need in-person learning while giving supports for students at home instead of penalizing them for absences." I also asserted, "I believe that there are further productive measures that can be taken to ensure the safety of all."

Our collective efforts gained momentum:

  • January 14, 2022: All BPS students issued a city-wide walkout to take a stand against the COVID surge. I am immensely proud of these children for taking a stand and using their platform.
  • January 27, 2022: The amazing FamCosa team lobbied, testified at the DESE meeting, and rallied, gaining significant media coverage!
  • February 2, 2022: I gave my own testimony in front of the school committee, hoping to contribute to the push for better COVID safety.

A Child's Powerful Voice

A true game-changer came on February 7, 2022, when my then 9-year-old son approached me, eager to help keep his friends and teachers safe. He plotted out his own testimony, pouring out his emotions into a powerful piece. It was an inside look, a child's voice the media rarely hears. His closing words deeply resonated with me: "We need better masks for students, teachers, and staff. Better windows and airflow in the lunch area where students gather. School should be a safe place to learn for students. School should be a safe place for teachers to teach."

Victory (and More Work Ahead)

Then came the shocking news: On February 9, 2022, Governor Baker and DESE's Commissioner announced the end of the statewide school mask mandate. My heart dropped. What now? Where do we go from here?

I took a moment, listened to my heart, and recommitted to ensuring schools are safe from future pandemics. That same day, our FamCosa team joined a Zoom call, planning a press conference. We were unified: we would push for the masking mandate to stay.

And then, on February 10, 2022, a moment of triumph! Mayor Michelle Wu and the BPS Superintendent both announced that the Masking Mandate would remain in place for BPS! I was jumping for joy, screaming in victory! We immediately dropped our planned press conference and released a media advisory instead.

In that moment, I knew we had gained the upper hand, but our work is far from over. As my son wisely says, "Don't Stop Us Now!" A huge thank you to everyone who supported us!

Moving forward, we will continue to collaborate with those on the forefront to ensure every student, teacher, and staff member has a safe place to learn and teach. The fight for truly safe and equitable schools continues.

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