Busy parent of two kids at the Jamesville-Dewitt School District, Emily Costello, is ready for her kids to be back in school.

“We know that back to school will look different; that it won’t look the way it did before the pandemic. We need to start thinking about it,” said Costello.

She is one of several parents from the J-D School District and the Fayetteville-Manlius School District pushing for in-person learning.

What You Need To Know

  • Jamesville-Dewitt and Fayetteville-Manlius districts have cited space as a concern to getting kids back to school

  • Liverpool Superintendent says space will prevent every kid from coming back to school

  • Currently, 6 feet apart is the DOH standard

Lately, parents from each district are holding reoccurring rallies outside of their perspective schools.

Both superintendents declined to interview with Spectrum News, though each district has addressed in-person learning on its website. Both districts are currently following hybrid learning models.

The superintendents say current social-distancing guidelines and lack of space are proving to be road blocks preventing in-person learning.

“We don’t think it needs to be immediate. We just want a safe option,” said Costello.

Currently, New York State Department of Health requires six feet of space between desks — the same guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Emily says she’s sympathetic to the challenges but wants eyes on the future.

“At least a dialogue getting started. It has really been a topic of conversation at our board meetings,” said Costello.

“We’re trying to see if we have the ability to bring more kids to school,” said Liverpool Central School District Superintendent.

Liverpool Central School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Potter did agree to speak with us. He is trying to get more kids in school.

The district uses a hybrid-model as well, but this quarter 400 remote-only students returned to some in-person learning.

“We’re trying to be creative with being able to space kids out in multiple spaces. We can use cafeterias and large rooms,” said Potter.

There are almost 7,000 students in the Liverpool Central School District. Potter says with the current distancing guidelines, it’d be impossible to get every student back for five-days a week.

For the time being, Emily and other parents will urge district officials to plan for the future.

“I think there are a lot of moving parts, but they’re not going to stop moving until we get together,” said Costello.