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Date: 4/13/2021
CHICOPEE – Before the Chicopee School Committee meeting, over a dozen outraged parents, staff and teachers of Bowe Elementary School had a standout at city hall to show their concerns. During public input, these concerns were voiced.
The April 7 meeting featured input from one parent, Rebecca Gent, and also from President of the Chicopee Education Association, Laura Demakis. Gent said she was speaking for a majority of Bowe students, teachers and parents when she voiced her disapproval over a lack of communication.
“Communication must improve between Chicopee Public Schools, the families that attend them and the dedicated teachers that educate our children,” said Gent.
In recent weeks, many parents on the Chicopee Area Community Forum on Facebook have said they are confused or disappointed with the way their children at Bowe are being treated. This stems from the news that the school will not be reopening, despite Grades K through 5 transitioning to full in-person learning.
On April 5, Bowe students in Grades 2 and 3 began their in-person learning at Chicopee High School. On April 12, students in Grades 4 and 5 will begin in-person learning at Fairview Elementary School. There is no set reopening date for Bowe School, due to air quality issues and concerns.
Also in the Facebook forum, many parents have said they have not had much correspondence when it comes to details of school relocations, bus updates and any news on Bowe. Gent said that it has been hard for many kids to adjust to a new school and new teachers. There was no slow integration given that they are now required to be there five days a week.
Demakis expressed her concern and outrage over the quality of all the schools in Chicopee. She said that they are all a “mess” and need work that should have been done a long time ago.
“Bowe School never should have closed,” she said.
She asked School Committee members to support parents, teachers and students at Bowe school and do what is right for the Chicopee community.
“Support our families and our students…. make sure we’re doing what’s right for them,” she said.
During the School Committee meeting, spring sports were also discussed. If approved, the upcoming spring season would begin on April 26 and go through July 3. This accounts for time participating in tournaments and state playoffs.
The sports being voted on were softball, baseball, lacrosse, tennis, cheer and volleyball. With approval, practices would start April 26 and games would begin after May 3.
There would be restrictions during the season such as face masks required to be worn by all players, limitations of team sizes, more spacing during games, no seeds, gum or spitting and adhering to all spectator guidelines.
After a vote, all sports were approved by the School Committee.
Those interested in viewing the School Committee meeting in its entirety are encouraged to visit the ChicopeeTV Facebook page.