To the Editor:

I have listened and read almost everything about students returning to in-person classes. Having been keenly interested in our schools for fifty years and having recently served eight years on the Warwick School Committee, I submit some recommendations for all of them accomplishing this. They deserve no less.

1. Parents are essential and must be involved. They have to take the temperatures of their children before they leave for school every morning. Every home contains an easy method of doing so. If the temperature reads more than 100.4 degrees, the child stays home for two days. The students in school should be tested after lunch periods and the parents called to pick them up if 100.4 degrees is exceeded. No excuses accepted.

2. All students will wear masks. Elementary students K-5 will be allowed to take them off in classrooms only. Secondary students 6-12 will wear them at all times but be allowed to bring them below their noses in the classroom. Keeping them fully covered for hours has them inhaling their own carbon dioxide, which is unhealthy.

3. All students should be seated at least three feet apart, including lunches and while walking everywhere else on school grounds.

4. Parents who prefer that their children be taught at home by hybrid-learning have a right to do so. This will reduce in-school numbers and probably bus crowding to the extent possible.

5. Buses can carry more students wearing masks and under the careful watch of the monitors. No nonsense will be tolerated, especially those in grades 6-12.

6. Unruly and uncaring students who refuse to adhere to the new rules will, and after consideration, be sent home for the semester.

7. Sports will be allowed with on-field celebrations prohibited. Arts and music must be activated in any way possible.

8. High school boys and girls should and can be good friends but not steady boy and girl friends until after graduation.

9. Fortunately, we have administrators and teachers who are well-qualified to operate under such pressing conditions. They have always provided our beautiful students with an education and protection way above the normal. They deserve our appreciation.

10. As always, there may be some cases of the virus uncovered, but this must not prevent or unduly delay thousands of students being denied an in-person education. Their futures are at stake. They have already experienced too much.

These are some of my thoughts and recommendations during a sad time of upheaval, fears and concern. However, I have faith that we will prevail and that the “glass will never be less than half full.” Educational discipline is everyone’s responsibility and, at present, it hurts.

With deep respect for our Warwick Schools,

Eugene. A. Nadaeu

Warwick