CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The pandemic has presented a lot of challenges for parents. Last year it was virtual learning. This year, one parent says it’s stressful dealing with all the COVID-19 protocols in schools.

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Raven Montgomery is a single mother with four children

She works multiple jobs to make ends meet

She is upset she has had to pick up her child from school a few times because he had a headache

Raven Montgomery never stops moving. She spends several hours a week in her clothing boutique. It’s also where she does aromatherapy. 

“I am usually here on my days off,” Montgomery said. “Sometimes I will be here all day.”

If that wasn’t enough, she usually works three or four days a week as a homecare nurse. When she is not working she is still busy. Montgomery is a single mom to four children.

“Chance is my youngest — he is 10,” Montgomery said. “I have a daughter who just turned 14. I also have a son who is 22 and my oldest is 24. Everybody still lives here with me.”

COVID-19 protocols in schools have made her life more stressful, particularly if she has to pick up one of her children. Montgomery said for the second time in a month the school called to pick up her son because he had a headache. 

“It just so happened I had like seven clients that day,” Montgomery said. “He didn’t have a fever, no cold symptoms.”

According to Gaston County School guidelines, if a student presents one of several symptoms, including severe headache, a parent has to pick the student up. The student must also have a PCR or molecular lab test done to test for COVID-19. 

“I was like, oh my God, we can’t go down this road every time he has a headache,” Montgomery said. “I can’t leave work.”

Montgomery says she understands schools are trying to keep students safe and healthy, but feels there should be some exemptions. 

“I feel like I am going to be called to the school once a week to go pick him up, get a PCR test, go to the doctor and this is never-ending,” Montgomery said.

A spokesperson for Gaston County Schools says they are following state COVID-19 protocols. Right now they would only change their guidelines if the state does.

The Union County School Board is calling on state to end contact tracing and quarantine procedures for students in public schools.