School - coronavirus - heightened emotions

Nowadays, it is difficult to know when to stick your neck out and fight for what you believe in. We ask you, are your kids worth fighting for? As the days pass, with what doesn’t seem to be much of a plan for adding more days of in-person learning, the education of our children is becoming the topic that we are willing to fight for, regardless of the backlash. We need a re-opening plan based on a realistic threat assessment. We need Mr. Mueller, his re-opening team, and the school board working with the Hill County Health Department in the same effort that they used to get sports moving forward. Sports are important, but education is essential.

Education is not just about learning; it teaches our kids about discipline and accountability. Our children acquire skills that teach them how to be respectful and understanding of one another, of people different than themselves with differing views. Attending school together with their friends allows for face to face human interaction in a society that is becoming more isolated and online every day.

Montana is already social distanced, especially in Hill County. We are rural, we do not have programs in place to fill the gaps for the three days a week that our children are left unattended. This is detrimental to their safety, their mental health and well-being.

Ronan, Kalispell, Great Falls High, Butte, Billings Senior, Laurel and Frenchtown are just a few of the schools that have resumed a minimum four-day week of in-person learning. There have been some issues, but the school districts are resolving them by cleaning and carrying on. We are the center of the Hi-Line, we rise to challenges, if Montana’s bigger cities can get back to school then so can we. Waiting for Montana to go to Phase 3 is not reasonable, we need to move beyond this re-opening plan.

The employees of Walmart, IGA and Subway have stepped up, they are leading by example. These employees are surrounded by many people all day long. As essential employees they are not giving up; they are getting it done; they are rising to the challenge. Isn’t it worth defending that in-person learning five days a week is essential for Havre public school children?

Although we have no control over this virus, we do have control over how we react to it. Stand up for what you believe in. There is strength in numbers and the school board is elected to represent the community. Join us Sept. 22, at 12:15 at the Robins building for the next board meeting. If you cannot make the meeting please take a moment and get in touch with Mr. Mueller, the school board, and the public health department.

Respectively, for those that are concerned about going to school full time, virtual learning is an option. We would like an option that fits our needs, additional in-person learning days each week.

The following people agree with the content of this piece:

Brian Albrecht

Angela Allestad

Robby and Melissa Anderson

Cara Benjamin

Robert and Tracie Brown

Sam Cassel

Carl and Tiffany Columbus

Pam Finneman

Tyler and Tamara Gibson

Heather Glahn

Shannon Hansen

Lisa Harber

Kelly and Lisa Harris

Matt and Miranda Hencz

Kayce Evans

Chad and Heather Finneman

Kyle and Courtney Finneman

Jerad and Carrie Gillen

Chris Hansen

Cathy Huston

Jen Jenkins

Billy and Tiffany Kimberling

Darin and Karen Kinsella

Tamara Lamphier

Curt and Autumn Lineweaver

Jason and Britnee Loch

Sharon May

Jeremy and Kelly May

Brian McLees

Amber Milam

Jack and Kari Maloughney

Harold and Rhea Miller

Bridgette Morse

Josh and Erin Pulse

Josh and Christy Smith

Josh and Christy Smith

Daryl and Kerry Shay

Paulette Preeshl Shipp

Sara Sheppard

Jenne Sheppard

Tyrel and Mallory Stygles

Craig and Wendy Tilleman

Chris and Tina Walin

Raeanne Wall

Jacy Weigel

Eric Wilting

Jody Wittmer