By Alexander Lee

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A student gives her coronavirus swab to Dr. Helenann Civian, the principal of South Boston Catholic Academy on Jan. 19, 2021.Suzanne Kreiter / Boston Globe via Getty Images

With the fall season rapidly approaching, the topic of school reopenings has taken center stage in the United States. President Donald Trump has been vocally pushing for schools to reopen, paralleling his earlier demands for the economy to resume normal operations. However, his calls have been met with concern and hesitation from many key players in the educational sector, including principals, teachers, and parents.

According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, only 12.4% of school principals reported feeling 'extremely confident' in their ability to safeguard the health and well-being of students and staff should schools reopen in the fall. This low percentage is further compounded by the fact that an additional 22.8% of principals surveyed felt only 'somewhat confident' in their ability to protect their school communities.

Principals are not the only ones expressing their concerns. A USA Today/Ipsos poll conducted in May revealed that 87% of teachers are anticipating difficulties in enforcing social distancing measures among students. Furthermore, 18% of teachers admitted that they would resign from their positions if their schools were to reopen. This percentage increased to 25% among teachers aged 55 and above.

Parents are also grappling with the decision of whether or not to send their children back to in-person classes in the fall. In the same USA Today/Ipsos poll, 46% of Americans expressed support for the return to in-person schooling before the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine. Nevertheless, 59% of parents stated that they would likely opt for at-home learning options such as remote schooling or homeschooling if schools were to reopen. 

When examining the perspectives of Hispanic parents and grandparents, a survey by Latino Decisions found that 53% are considering keeping their children or grandchildren out of school or childcare this fall, despite 83% expressing concern that their students are falling behind academically.

Amidst the apprehensions surrounding school reopenings, confidence in President Trump's ability to handle the public health implications of the coronavirus outbreak is waning. A Pew Research Center poll conducted last month indicated that only 41% of respondents felt confident or somewhat confident in the president's capability to manage the COVID-19 crisis effectively.

In conclusion, the uncertainty and fear surrounding the potential reopening of schools in the fall have become a contentious issue in the United States. The apprehensions of principals, teachers, and parents, coupled with a lack of confidence in President Trump's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, have created an atmosphere of tension and anxiety as the fall season draws near. It is evident that a clear, coherent, and well-thought-out plan from the White House is essential to alleviate these concerns and ensure a smooth and safe return to in-person learning.

Reporter Alexander Lee alexanderlee_24@newsyn.co.kr