Wauwatosa Elementary Students To Return To In-Person Learning

WAUWATOSA,WI—The Wauwatosa School Board unanimously voted for students in grades k-5 to return to in-person leaning five days a week. The board's vote on the date of return, Jan. 6, was 6-1, with board member Michael Meier voting against it.

Students speak up

Elementary student Karl Borden said the school is where he learns best. His dad Matt Borden told the board his son is studying about making an impact in the community. He was allowed to stay up late to make his comment.

Wauwatosa East senior Michela Miller spoke during the meeting despite secondary education not being discussed.

"The theme of parents and adults assuming opinions on older students seems to be running through many meetings," Miller said.

Miller asked for more input from "stressed and overwhelmed" teachers. She commented on a lack of support for teachers during the meeting as disappointing. Miller also said many students have signed petitions asking to stay hybrid to keep peers and teachers safe.

"I trust our district, however, rather than having adults share what we as students need, please take the time to ask us," Miller said.

Miller, co-president of her student council, said members have sent out surveys to find out what students need.

"We want to be an active part in these conversations," she said.

Secondary students will return from winter break on Jan. 4 in the hybrid phase. The Medical/Public Health Advisory Panel will meet on Jan. 7 to conduct further discussion regarding students in grades 6-12. The Superintendent will deliver a recommendation to the School Board for students in grades 6-12 at the board meeting on Jan. 11.

Families may change their student’s model of instruction (Phase Into Learning, Tosa Connected, or Wauwatosa Virtual Academy) for Trimester 3. There will be no model of instruction changes authorized for Trimester 2, according to the district's website.

Parent's petition

A petition was created in support of the Wauwatosa School District, School Board, and Medical Panel to transition students to a five-day in-person instruction.

Teacher shortages and increased coronavirus cases led the Wauwatosa School District to go to virtual learning in November. The Wauwatosa School District shifted all Phase Into Learning students to virtual instruction from Nov. 23 through Dec. 4, according to a letter from the Wauwatosa School District.

Mike Mejac, a Wauwatosa resident created the online petition. He told Patch the inspiration for the petition came from the need to unify voices that support five-day education across the Wauwatosa School District, and to signal that sentiment to the School Board.