The Pasadena Board of Education is having a special meeting this afternoon to discuss the reopening of schools. They will be voting on a resolution to reopen elementary schools for TK-2nd grade on March 29. Members of the public are allowed to send comments to be included in the public record. I thought that enough people had already begged, whined and complained about the reopening of the schools to the Board. But at last week’s meeting, nearly all the public comments were from parents and teachers who do not want the schools to reopen. Maybe people are not complaining? Maybe, like me, everyone else assumes that so many people have complained, so there is no need to add another voice to the babble.

I decided it was time to get into the arena and have my say. I wrote a letter yesterday and sent it to the Superintendent and all the members of Pasadena’s Board of Education. Here’s my letter, and in bold, I’ve included the language I omitted, but really wanted to include.

To The Members of the Pasadena Board of Education: [Dear Asshats, Fools and Demon Spawn]

I am the parent of a second grader at xxx School. [feels weird to put the name of my daughter’s school on the internet] Please reopen the schools as soon as possible for in-person instruction. [before I lose my flipping mind and commit unimaginable crimes]

Schools are not the main drivers of the pandemic. The closure of schools should be done only as a last resort measure. According to the United Nation’s Children’s Fund (aka UNICEF), a recent global study using data from 191 countries showed no association between school status and COVID-19 infection rates in the community. Science supports the reopening of schools. [I decided to sound calm and rational though really, I am a flaming tower of incoherent rage . Seriously, all the other fucking schools in the country have reopened. Our infection rates are super low. What is with the effing holdup?] I am very disappointed [enraged] and frustrated [practically homicidal] that nearby school districts, such as South Pasadena, have already reopened while PUSD is yet to set a reopening date.

I have been following the District’s plans for reopening and am impressed with the measures being taken to ensure everyone’s safety. [blatant sucking up] I have always intended to send my children to public schools, but it has been disheartening to see private schools reopening while our public schools fall farther and farther behind. I know a lot of parents who are on the verge of pulling their children out of PUSD. [i’m not making this up] [I’m one of those parents] Please reopen so we do not lose any more families to private schools, homeschooling and other districts. [though that ship sailed long ago] Please reopen for the children. [remember them? the children who have been enduring trials we never had to endure as kids?] Distance learning is breaking their spirits and love of learning. [understatement of the century] It is time to be brave and move forward. [or I will burn something]

Sincerely, [I hate all of you so much]

Courtney Novak