Letter to the Editor: Supporting teachers, students is more important now than ever

Clay County residents,

Last week, our teachers and students embarked on a new "first day of school". However, this time, they are online and participating in distance learning.

With Clay County schools closed, we are seeing first-hand the vital role our public schools play in our community. They provide meals to students in need, serve as a place for recreation and play and prepare our youth for their futures.

Nearly 50% of students live in economically disadvantaged homes across our district. Imagine being a fourth grader, away from your friends and the comfort of a caring teacher. Maybe you’re home alone during most of the day while your parents work, you don’t have the supplies necessary for distance learning or you’ve missed a meal today. That’s why supporting students and teachers in our community is more important now than ever. Issues of missed meals, lack of school supplies or internet access should be a reality no student is forced to face.

We are grateful for the leadership and resiliency our school district, administrators and teachers have shown while faced with these unprecedented circumstances. The Clay Education Foundation will continue to work with the school district, and other community partners, to ensure our students and teachers have what they need to continue learning.

Makayla Buchanan

Executive Director, Clay Education Foundation